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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
Capt. Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson VC.
British Army 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment,
(d.31st Jul 1917)
Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson was born in London in February 1896. He was awarded the Victoria Cross when he was 21 years old as an acting captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment. On 31 July 1917 at Bellewaarde, Belgium.
"For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and determination in attack. The tactical situation having developed contrary to expectation, it was not possible for his company to adhere to the original plan of deployments, and owing to the difficulties of the ground and to enemy wire, Captain Colyer Fergusson found himself with a Sergeant and five men only. He carried out the attack nevertheless, and succeeded in capturing the enemy trench and disposing of the garrison. His party was then threatened by a heavy counter-attack from the left front, but this attack he successfully resisted. During this operation, assisted by his Orderly only, he attacked and captured an enemy machine gun and turned it on the assailants, many of whom were killed and a large number driven into the hands of an adjoining British unit. Later, assisted only by his Serjeant, he again attacked and captured a second enemy machine gun, by which time he had been joined by other portions of his company, and was enabled to consolidate his position. The conduct of this officer throughout forms an amazing record of dash, gallantry and skill, for which no reward can be too great, having regard to the importance of the position won. This gallant officer was shortly afterwards killed by a sniper."
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of The Northamptonshire Regiment in Northampton. He is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery.
Capt. Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson VC.
British Army 2nd Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment
from:Sevenoaks, Kent
(d.31st Jul 1917)
Captain Thomas Colyer-Fergusson served with the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment during WW1. He was killed in action on the 31st July 1917 aged 21 and is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Thomas Colyer Colyer-Fergusson and the late Beatrice Stanley Colyer-Fergusson, of Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, Kent. Born in London. His brother Max Christian Hamilton Colyer-Fergusson fell in the 1939-1945 War
An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30272, dated 4th Sept., 1917; records the following:-
For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and determination in attack. The tactical situation having developed contrary to expectation, it was not possible for his company to adhere to the original plan of deployments, and owing to the difficulties of the ground and to enemy wire, Captain Colyer Fergusson found himself with a Serjeant and five men only. He carried out the attack nevertheless, and succeeded in capturing the enemy trench and disposing of the garrison. His party was then threatened by a heavy counter-attack from the left front, but this attack he successfully resisted. During this operation, assisted by his Orderly only, he attacked and captured an enemy machine gun and turned it on the assailants, many of whom were killed and a large number driven into the hands of an adjoining British unit. Later, assisted only by his Serjeant, he again attacked and captured a second enemy machine gun, by which time he had been joined by other portions of his company, and was enabled to consolidate his position. The conduct of this officer throughout forms an amazing record of dash, gallantry and skill, for which no reward can be too great, having regard to the importance of the position won. This gallant officer was shortly afterwards killed by a sniper.
Pte. David Combe
British Army 1/7th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
from:Hoghill Farm, Oakbank, nr. East Calder
(d.14th July 1917)
David Combe was born in 1891, one of four children born to David Combe (Snr) and Christina Brown, who lived at Hoghill Farm, Oakbank, near East and Mid Calder in West Lothian, Scotland. As a young man he became a gardener on the Howden Estate and lived at Howden Cottages.
He was “attested” on 11th of December 1915 and sent to the Army Reserve. Finally mobilized on 10th of February 1916 he failed the medical, being graded as B(iii) and was returned to the reserve. `B' meant he was “free from organic disease, able to stand on lines of communication in France or in the tropics” and (iii) meant “Only fit for sedentary work”. He was finally mobilized on 17th of October 1916 at Glencorse Barracks near Edinburgh and sent for basic training at Kerwick in England. This completed, he was sent to Folkstone for embarkation to France on 23rd April 1917. He was now Private 326515 Combe, David.
On arrival, he was sent to the induction camp and hospital at Camiers Etaples near Boulogne-sur-Mer. Around 11th May he was posted to the 1/7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. On the 29th May 1917 he was lightly wounded and sent back to the hospital at Etables. Evidently the wound was not serious as he was discharged on 7th June as A1.
According to a letter from the lieutenant of his platoon, David Combe was on duty in the front line trench when a “Boche” trench mortar round landed on his position. A piece of shrapnel hit him on the head and he was killed instantly. His comrades then carried him to a small cemetery behind the lines where he was buried in a grave marked with a simple wooden cross. He was reported “killed in action” on 14th of July 1917. The location is unknown. His remains therefore lie in an unknown Belgian field but he is remembered on panels 42 and 44 of the Menin Gate at Ypres.
Lt. Robert Grierson Combe VC.
Canadian Expeditionary Force 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion
from:Saskatchewan, Canada
(d.3rd May 1917)
Lt. Robert Combe was a native of Aberdeen, Scotland who enlisted in the CEF in April 1915 at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He was treated for rheumatism and lumbago at Miss Pollock's Hospital in July 1916.
He was killed in action on 3rd of May 1917 leading his company in a trench assault and was subsequently awarded the VC posthumously.
Rflmn. Gerald Comber
british army 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corp
from:9 Pound Lane, Willesden Green, London. NW10
(d.18th August 1916)
Gnr. Reginald Combes
British Army 315th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
Reginald Combes enlisted on the 4th of October 1915. Serving with 315th Brigade RFA, he was wounded on 22nd of July 1917 and was discharged as unfit on the 4th of December 1917.
Pte. Wilfred Combs
British Army 14th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Blyth
(d.29th Apr 1918)
Pte. Frederick G Comer
British Army 7th Btn. West Kent Regiment
from:Camberley, Surrey
(d.27th Aug1918)
The Battalion formed part of the 18th (Eastern) Division which successfully met all of its objectives on the first day of the Somme using the creeping barrage. Private Comer died on 27th August 1918, south of Deville Wood during a phase of the Second Battle of Bapaume.
Pte. James Comer
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 9th Battalion
from:Hemsworth, West Yorkshire
(d.1st July 1916)
James Cormer was born in Ryhill, Yorkshire in 1895. We have his medals and the letter from the King to his parents when he died. We had no photograph of James, but a relative from America sent us a photograph with another soldier on it who served with James being a corporal and physical instructer with the 9th Battalion same as James.
James died the first day of the Battle of The Somme but has no known grave. He is remembered on the War Memorial at Thiepval. We visited The Somme this summer and we went to Thiepval and many of the very well kept cemeteries there. We found one where some of the soldiers of his battalion are buried and placed a poppy cross on one of the graves of an unknown soldier who died on that day. It was so sad to see all the people who died serving their countries. God Bless them all
Pte. James Comerford
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Birtley
James Comerford enlisted in November 1914
Pte. M Comerford
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Dunston
M Comerford was discharged in November 1916 sick
Pte Thomas Comerford
British Army 15th Btn (1st Salford Pals) Lancashire Fusiliers
(d.25th Dec 1917)
Sgt. Corma Comeskey
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Newcastle
Corma Comesky was wounded in July 1916
Pte. Horace Peter Comollie
British Army 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
from:1/8 Colsterworth Road, Tottenham
Pte. Herbert James Compton
British Army 1st Btn. Royal Scots
(d.18th Feb 1915)
Herbert James Compton, Private 10371, is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate. He was killed age 23, the son of Emma Compton.
Pte. Percy Compton
British Army 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment
from:Honiton, Devon
Pte. G. Comte
Canadian Expeditionary Forces 22nd Btn. Canadian Infantry
Pte. G. Comte served with the Canadian Infantry 22nd Battalion. After going absent for six weeks, he was executed for desertion on 3rd July 1917 and is buried in Aix-Noulette Community Cemetery Extension in Aix-Noulette, France.
Pte. Thomas Conaghy
British Army 1st battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
(d.April 1917)
L/Cpl Arthur W. Concannon MM.
British Army 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment
from:Whitwick, Leicestershire
(d.31st July 1917)
Arthur Concannon, along with his brother John, joined up before WW1 and served in India in 1910 with the Regiment. Arthur was married three weeks before his death. He is still missed by his family. John went to serve in the WW11.
J. A. Condick
Australian Imperial Force. 3rd Salvage Coy.
Pte. James Condon
British Army 8th (Liverpool Irish) Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment
from:Chester
(d.12th September 1916)
Pte. John Condon
British Army 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment
from:Ireland
(d.24th May 1915)
John Condon was just 14 when he was reported missing, presumed dead on 24th May 1915.
Pte. Cecil Greenfield "Greeny" Coney
British Army 17th (Wellbeck Rangers) Btn. Sherwood Foresters
from:Worksop
(d.3rd September 1916)
Pte. George Confrey
British Army 9th Battalion Welch Regiment
from:Holbeck, Yorkshire
Gnr. Arthur Grenfel Congdon
British Army 154th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
from:Southampton, Hampshire
Arthur Congdon was confirmed at Talbot House Poperinge by P B "Tubby" Clayton on the 9th of July 1917.
Matron Congleton
Queen Alexandras Nursing Service No. 32 Stationary Hospital
Matron Congleton served at No. 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux.
Major. William La Touche Congreve VC, DSO, MC, MID.
British Army Rifle Brigade
from:London
(d.20th July 1916)
Billy Congreve was killed in action on the 20th of July 1916, aged 25 and is buried in the Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Lt.-Gen. Sir Walter Congreve, V.C., K.C.B., M.V.O., and Lady Congreve, of Chartley Castle, Staffs., husband of Pamela Congreve, of 15, Queen Anne's Gate, London.
An extract from the London Gazette, dated 24th October, 1916 records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery during a period of fourteen days preceding his death in action. This officer constantly performed acts of gallantry and showed the greatest devotion to duty, and by his personal example inspired all those around him with confidence at critical periods of the operations. During preliminary preparations for the attack he carried out personal reconnaissance's of the enemy lines, taking out parties of officers and non- commissioned officers for over 1,000 yards in front of our line, in order to acquaint them with the ground. All these preparations were made under fire. Later, by night, Major Congreve conducted a battalion to its position of employment, afterwards returning to it to ascertain the situation after assault. He established himself in an exposed forward position from where he successfully observed the enemy, and gave orders necessary to drive them from their position. Two days later, when Brigade Headquarters was heavily shelled and many casualties resulted, he went out and assisted the medical officer to remove the wounded to places of safety, although he was himself suffering severely from gas and other shell effects. He again on a subsequent occasion showed supreme courage in tending wounded under heavy shell fire. He finally returned to the front line to ascertain the situation after an unsuccessful attack, and whilst in the act of writing his report, was shot and killed instantly."
Pte. Andrew Conley
British Army 10th/11th Btn. Highland Light Infantry
from:Glasgow
(d.24 Apr 1917)
Just back from Arras, My wife and myself were shocked and amazed by the magnitude of life lost at the front, and really has to be experienced by a visit to see first hand the sacrifice these men made. The Graves, tours, sites and the people we met, made this visit a memory that will never fade.
Remembering Private Andrew Conley of the 10th/11th Bn. Highland Light Infantry. Age 22 who died on the 24th of April 1917 and is commemorated on Bay 8 of the Arras Memorial. Anyone with any extra info on this day in Arras please let me know.
Pte. Henry Alfred James Conley
British Army 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade
from:East End, London
Henry Conley was born 14th of November 1898 and lived in the East End of London. He joined up as a volunteer on 24th of August 1914 and trained in Winchester with B Company, 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He went to France with 7th Rifle Brigade on 19th of May 1915 saw front line service, mostly, around Ypres area which is in Flanders, Belgium then later around Arras and Somme areas. He was wounded in action on 18th of August 1916 near Delville Wood sent back to UK. Henry had rescued an officer named F B H Drummond who sent a letter of thanks and kept in touch after the war. He was then sent to Ireland for re-training after recovery and returned to the Western Front on the 30th of March 1918. He joined the 2/7th Royal Scots and saw a lot of front line service. He also served with the 13th Royal Scots.
He transferred to the reserve on Demob on 8th May 1919 and was entitled to 3 medals 1914-15 Star, War Service Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal 1914-19. Entitled to wear 2 wound stripes (which can be seen on his left arm in his wedding and other photos). Henry was 15 years 9 months when he volunteered. 19 years 6 months old on demob. He returned home from France May 1919 and married in June 1919, then immediately applied for a 10 package to move to Australia with his new wife. He died in 1975.
Pte. Thomas Conley
British Army 1/8th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
from:Glasgow, Scotland
(d.17th May 1917)
Thomas Conley served with the 8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, he was killed at Arras in 1917.
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