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7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps    7th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on 19th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Grayshott in November and to Bordon in February 1915, returning to Aldershot in March 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 25th of April, the 7th KRRC was reduced to a training cadre and on the 16th of June they transferred to 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and returned to England for re-establishment and were absorbed by 34th Battalion, London Regiment at Clacton. 19th Aug 1914 Battalion Raised 18th Feb 1915 Training 18th May 1915 On the Move 19th May 1915 On the Move 20th May 1915 On the Move 26th May 1915 On the March 27th May 1915 On the March 28th May 1915 On the March   29th May 1915 Instruction   29th of May 1915  A Rumbling Explosion   30th May 1915 Casualties 30th of May 1915 Work Party Casualties   31st May 1915 Trench Work 31st of May 1915 "Careful Watch" Kept   1st June 1915 Instruction 2nd June 1915 Instruction 2nd Jun 1915 Quiet 3rd June 1915 Instruction 5th June 1915 Into Camp 5th of June 1915 Quiet Time   6th June 1915 Move   7th of June 1915  Quiet Time 10th June 1915 Into the Trenches   11th June 1915 Wounds   12th Jun 1915 Monmouths return to front line   12th Jun 1915 Reliefs   13th June 1915 Relief Complete   14th June 1915 On the March 15th June 1915 On the March   16th June 1915 Attack Made   17th June 1915 In Reserve 18th June 1915 On the March   19th June 1915 In Camp   20th June 1915 Into Huts   21st Jun 1915 Orders to Attack   21st June 1915 Shelling   22nd Jun 1915 In Action 22nd June 1915 Shelling   22nd of June 1915 Attacks ordered 23rd June 1915 Shelling   24th June 1915 Shelling   25th June 1915 In Camp   29th June 1915 Reliefs 29th Jun 1915 Reliefs Complete   29th of June 1915 Reliefs   30th June 1915 In the Line 30th Jun 1915 Relief   1st July 1915 Under Fire 2nd July 1915 In the Line 3rd July 1915 In the Trenches 4th July 1915 Under Fire 5th July 1915 In Trenches 6th July 1915 Shelling 7th July 1915 Shelling 8th July 1915 Reliefs 9th July 1915 In Billets 10th July 1915 Working Parties 11th July 1915 Working Parties 12th July 1915 Training 13th July 1915 Routine 14th July 1915 Routine 15th July 1915 Training 16th July 1915 Training 17th July 1915 Training 18th July 1915 Training 19th July 1915 Working Parties 20th July 1915 At Rest 21st July 1915 Working Party 22nd July 1915 Training 23rd July 1915 Reinforcements   24th July 1915 In Billets   25th July 1915 In Billets 26th July 1915 In Billets 27th July 1915 In Billets 28th July 1915 In Billets 29th July 1915 Reliefs 30th Jul 1915 Germans use flamethrower  In an attack at 03:15 in the front line at the Hooge Crater, the Germans employed a flame thrower against troops of the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade and 7th Kings Royal Rifle Corps. 30th Jul 1915 Burning Oil 30th July 1915 Reliefs Complete 31st July 1915 On the March 1st August 1915 In Bivouac 2nd August 1915 At Rest 3rd August 1915 At Rest 4th August 1915 At Rest 5th August 1915 At Rest 6th August 1915 At Rest 7th August 1915 Reliefs 8th August 1915 Bivouacs 9th August 1915 Working Party 10th August 1915 On the March 11th August 1915 Reinforcements 12th August 1915 At Rest 13th August 1915 Reliefs 14th August 1915 Quiet 15th August 1915 Holding the Line 16th August 1915 Quiet 17th August 1915 Holding the Line 18th August 1915 Holding the Line 19th August 1915 Holding the Line 20th August 1915 Holding the Line 21st August 1915 Holding the Line 22nd August 1915 Holding the Line 23rd August 1915 Holding the Line 24th August 1915 Reorganisation 25th August 1915 Quiet 26th August 1915 Quiet 27th August 1915 Reinforcements 28th August 1915 Quiet 29th August 1915 Holding the Line 30th August 1915 Reliefs 31st August 1915 At Rest 1st Sep 1915 In Hells Mouth 1st September 1915 At Rest 2nd September 1915 Roads Blocked 3rd September 1915 Heavy Rain 4th September 1915 Inspection 5th September 1915 Reinforcements 6th September 1915 Reliefs   7th September 1915 Shelling   8th September 1915 Working Parties   9th September 1915 Working Parties   10th September 1915 Working Parties   11th September 1915 Shelling   12th September 1915 Working Parties   13th September 1915 Reliefs Completed 14th September 1915 Holding the Line 15th September 1915 Quiet 16th September 1915 Holding the Line 17th September 1915 Holding the Line 18th September 1915 Holding the Line 19th September 1915 Holding the Line 20th September 1915 Holding the Line 21st September 1915 Reliefs 22nd September 1915 At Rest 23rd September 1915 At Rest 23rd September 1915 Order 24th September 1915 Orders 25th September 1915 Attack Made 25th Sep 1915 In Action 26th September 1915 In Support 27th September 1915  Shelling 28th September 1915 Reliefs 29th September 1915 In Support 30th September 1915 Heavy Shelling 1st October 1915 In Support 2nd October 1915 In Support 3rd October 1915 In Support 4th October 1915 In Support 5th October 1915 In Support 6th October 1915 Reliefs 7th October 1915 Holding the Line 8th October 1915 Holding the Line 9th October 1915 Holding the Line 10th October 1915 Holding the Line 11th October 1915 Holding the Line 12th October 1915 Heavy Shelling 13th October 1915 Reliefs 14th to 31st October 1915 Working Parties 1st November 1915 Working Parties 3rd November 1915 Working Party 5th November 1915 Working Parties 6th November 1915 Move 9th November 1915 Move 10th November 1915 On the March 11th to 19th November 1915 Training 19th November 1915 Reliefs 21st November 1915 Posting 22nd November 1915 Reliefs 23rd to 26th November 1915 Working Parties 26th November 1915 Reliefs 27th November 1915 Holding the Line 28th November 1915 Holding the Line 29th November 1915 Shelling   30th November 1915 Reliefs November 1915  1st to 4th December 1915 In Camp 4th December 1915 Reliefs 5th December 1915 Under Shellfire 6th December 1915 Shelling 7th December 1915 Quiet 8th December 1915  9th December 1915  9th to 12th December 1915  12th December 1915  13th December 1915  14th December 1915  15th December 1915  16th December 1915  17th December 1915  18th December 1915  19th December 1915  20th December 1915  24th December 1915  29th December 1915  31st December 1915  December 1915  1st January 1916  3rd January 1916  5th January 1916  7th January 1916  8th January 1916  9th January 1916  10th January 1916  11th January 1916  12th January 1916  13th January 1916  16th January 1916 Reliefs 17th January 1916 Holding the Line 18th January 1916 Holding the Line 19th January 1916 Holding the Line 20th January 1916 Reinforcements 21st January 1916 Reliefs 23rd January 1916 In Billets 26th January 1916 Reliefs 27th January 1916 Holding the Line 28th January 1916 Holding the Line 29th January 1916 Reinforcements 30th January 1916 Quiet 31st January 1916 Holding the Line February 1916  1st February 1916 Reliefs 2nd February 1916 In Camp 3rd February 1916 In Camp 4th February 1916 In Camp 5th February 1916 In Camp 6th February 1916 In Camp 7th February 1916 Reliefs 9th February 1916 Reliefs Complete 9th February 1916 Officer Killed 11th February 1916 On the March 13th February 1916 In Billets 14th February 1916 In Billets 15th Feb 1916 Reorganisation 16th February 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1916 Training 19th April 1916 Reliefs Complete 21st April 1916 Quiet 21st April 1916 Reliefs 24th April 1916 Reliefs Complete 25th April 1916 Shelling 30th April 1916 Reliefs April 1916 Report 1st May 1916 Quiet 3rd May 1916  4th May 1916  6th May 1916  9th to 16th May 1916  16th May 1916 Reliefs 17th May 1916  18th May 1916  19th May 1916  21st May 1916  22nd May 1916  23rd May 1916  24th May 1916  25th May 1916  26th May 1916  29th May to 2nd June 1916  May 1916  1st June 1916  2nd June 1916 Reliefs 3rd June 1916  4th June 1916  5th June 1916  6th June 1916  8th June 1916  9th June 1916  10th June 1916  13th to 20th June 1916  21st June 1916  22nd June 1916  23rd June 1916  24th June 1916  25th June 1916  26th June 1916  27th June 1916  28th June 1916  29th June 1916  30th June 1916  June 1916  1st July 1916  2nd July 1916  3rd July 1916  4th July 1916  5th July 1916  6th July 1916  9th July 1916  10th July 1916  15th July 1916  16th July 1916  17th July 1916  18th July 1916  19th July 1916  20th July 1916  21st July 1916  22nd July 1916  23rd July 1916  24th July 1916  25th July 1916  29th July 1916  30th July 1916  30th July 1916  31st July 1916  1st August 1916  2nd August 1916  3rd August 1916  4th to 5th August 1916  6th August 1916  7th August 1916  8th August 1916  9th August 1916  10th August 1916  11th August 1916  12th August 1916  13th August 1916  14th August 1916  15th to 16th August 1916  17th August 1916  18th August 1916  19th August 1916  20th to 24th August 1916  22nd August 1916  23rd August 1916  24th August 1916 Reliefs 25th August 1916  25th August 1916  26th August 1916  28th August 1916  29th August 1916  30th August 1916  31st August 1916  31st August 1916  1st to 7th September 1916  1st September 1916  3rd September 1916 Leave 4th September 1916  5th September 1916  6th September 1916 Rest 7th September 1916 Sports 8th September 1916 Sports 9th September 1916  10th September 1916  11th September 1916  12th September 1916  13th September 1916  14th September 1916  15th and 16th September 1916  17th Sep 1916 Death 17th September 1916  18th September 1916  19th September 1916 Address 20th September 1916 Report 21th September 1916 Transport Moves 22nd September 1916 On the Move 23rd September 1916 Quiet 24th September 1916 Quiet 24th September 1916 Quiet 25th September 1916 Quiet 26th September 1916 On the Move 27th September 1916 Reliefs 29th September 1916  30th September 1916  30th September 1916  1st October 1916  2nd October 1916  5th October 1916 Officers reporting for duty 7th October 1916  8th October 1916  9th October 1916  10th October 1916  12th October 1916  15th October 1916 Btn in Bde reserve 16th October 1916  18th October 1916  19th October 1916  21st October 1916 Back in the trenches 23rd October 1916  25th October 1916 On the Move   26th October 1916 Rest and training 31st October 1916  31st October 1916  11th of April 1917 Reliefs   12th of April 1917 Reliefs   12th of April 1917 Very Cold West Day 24th of April 1917 Orders 10th July 1917 Administrative Orders for move 19th August 1917 Operational Order 125   20th September 1917 Operational Order 131 26th Feb 1918 Reliefs Complete If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps? There are:5660 items tagged 7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War. Those known to have served with 7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps during the Great War 1914-1918. Agnew Arthur. Rfmn. (d.19th Aug 1916) Anderton Alfred Reuben. L/Cpl. (d.6th December 1917) Asher Herbert. Rfmn. (d.6th Jul 1915) Badetscher John Henry. L/Cpl. (d.30th Jul 1915) Barratt Frederick Martin. Rflmn. (d.10th Jul 1917) Benford A T. Rfn. (d.6th Jul 1915) Briley Joseph. Rfn. (d.9th Sept 1914) Burdett Alfred. Rfmn. (d.6th Jul 1915) Dempster Harry Skeel Duncan. L/Cpl. (d.3rd Aug 1915) Dibsdale Reginald Morden. Pte. Donald William Alexander. Pte. (d.15th Sep 1916) Dowden Joseph George. Rfmn. (d.18th Jul 1916) Dry James Robert. Rflmn. (d.20th Sep 1917) Everall Harold. Rfmn. (d.23rd December 1915) Fairlie Edward. Maj. (d.30th Mar 1918) Gargini Jack. Rflmn. (d.11th May 1917) Giles Charles Elvin. Rfm. Glover Humphrey William. Pte. (d.4th December 1917) Hawley Arthur George. Rfmn. (d.30th Jul 1915) Heath George Robert. Rfmn. Heaver Harry Robert. L/Cpl. (d.15th Sep 1916) Herbertson Andrew Hunter. Lt. (d.15th May 1917) Hollis Arthur. Pte. (d.30th July 1915) Irwin A F. Rfn. (d.6th Jul 1915) King J.. Rflm. (d.16th Mar 1917) Lee Harry. Rflmn. (d.11th May 1917) Low Harold Ayling. Rflmn. (d.21st March 1918) Mann Herbert Henry. Sgt (d.1915) McGavin Charles Abercrombie. 2nd Lt. (d.24th Nov 1917) McIntosh MM. Robert. Rfn. Medhurst Arthur William. Sgt. (d.30th July 1915) Miller Eli. Rfmn. (d.6th Jul 1915) Mills Walter. Rfmn. (d.21st Mar 1918) Nicholson Wilfred. Pte. (d.2nd Apr 1918) Oakden Frank. Rfmn. (d.18th Sep 1916) Oldham Arthur. Rflm. (d.30th Jul 1915) Parker Albert E.. Rfmn. (d.15th May 1916) Petty Silvester. Rflmn. (d.26th Aug 1916) Pritchard John David. Rflmn. Prowse George. Sgt. (d.13th Aug 1915) Quarmby James Arthur. Rifleman (d.15 Sep 1916) Ramsay Keith Winton. Lt. (d.3rf May 1916) Rennie DSO MID George Arthur. Brig.Gen. Rush B.. Rfmn. (d.6th Jul 1915) Saward Charles Jay. Rflmn (d.18th August 1916) Sedgwick Joseph. Rfm. (d.6th Jul 1915) Smith Ernest. CSM (d.11th Oct1917) Somers-Smith Richard Willingdon. 2nd Lt. (d.30th Jun 1915) Stead Thomas Albert. Pte. Stead Thomas Albert. Pte (d.1949) Stearns Patrick Chillingworth. 2nd Lt. (d.4th Dec 1917) Tomlinson William. Rflmn. (d.23rd April 1917) Townsend John. Rflmn. (d.2nd Sep 1915) Treeves Alfred Edward. Rfmn. (d.3rd Aug 1915) Wickes Charles. Rifleman. (d.30th July 1915) All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List Records of 7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps from other sources. 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Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd December 1915) Harold Everall was born 1890 in Coventry, Warwarckshire and was a soldier in WW1. He enlisted 3rd of September 1914 serving with the 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He died of wounds 23rd of December 1915 at which time he was with the 10th Battalion. He was aged 24 years and is buried Sailly-sur-la-Lys, Canadian Cemetery in France. Son of A. John and Jane Everall of 64 Kingsway, Coventry. Robert Haase Add to this record.   Rflmn. Harold Ayling Low 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st March 1918) Harold was the eldest son of Thomas William Low and Julia Ayling of Breachwood Green, near Welwyn Hertfordshire. He was born in Lower Clapton, Middlesex in 1891. Shortly after his birth Harold was living with his parents in Wratten Road, Hitchin and Thomas was working as a police constable. In 1901 Harold was living with his parents and brothers John & Albert and sister, Lily in Cole Green, Hertingfordbury, Hertford. Thomas was a police constable. In the 1911 census Harold is living with his mother, brothers John and Albert and sisters Lily and Edna at Grantham Cottage, Knebworth, Hertfordshire. He enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps in London on the 3rd July 1915, at the age of 25 years. Before enlisting he had been employed as a clerk by The Great Northern Railway Company, and was living on Hitchin Road, Arlesey. Harold was posted to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 9th July 1915 and posted to BEF on 23rd December. Harold was admitted to hospital on 4th July 1916 suffering from wounds to his face that were described by the Medical Officer as being "of a trivial nature". His injury occurred while he was in the performance of military duty. He was granted a furlough from 23rd November to 3rd December 1917 to visit his parents and stayed at the Queen's Head in Breachwood Green. Harold was reported as missing on 21st March 1918 and his death was presumed to have occurred on this date. Harold was awarded the 1914-15 Star and this was sent to his father in February 1920. Remembered with honour at Pozieres Memorial Add to this record.   Pte Thomas Albert Stead 7th Btn King's Royal Rifle Company (d.1949) Thomas Albert Stead came from a large Rothwell mining family which had its roots in the area going back to at least the middle of the 18th century. Tom, as he was known, joined the King's Royal Rifles Regiment on 1914-10-14 as a private and was given the number R5968. He served in France from May 1915 but was discharged at the end of July 1917, "no longer fit for military service," after being wounded. In common with those who fought and survived the war, he was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, and the 1915 Star. Before he went off to war in 1914, Tom Stead had two children with Mabel: Albert born in 1912, and Joseph, a year later. Albert also joined the army but died in a swimming accident in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1936 For a while Tom and Rachel lived in one of the council houses on Fourth Avenue on Rothwell Haigh, with Tom probably working at Fanny Pit nearby, but in about 1934 they moved to the Kent coalfield where Tom got a job at Betteshanger colliery near Deal. He was very active in politics and union work and had many letters published in the Kent Times about the conditions miners worked in. When the 1939 Register was compiled it indicated he had been working as a ripper but by that time was "incapacitated". A few years later, Tom, Rachel and their son moved back to Yorkshire where they lived near Doncaster. He died in 1949. Joe Stead followed his father "down 't pit" and went with him to Kent. He also became a soldier and served in the Second World War. He was 88 when he passed away in 2003. Paul Stead Add to this record.   2nd Lt. Charles Abercrombie McGavin 18th Btn Hampshire Regiment (d.24th Nov 1917) One of seven children, Charles McGavin was born in West Ham in 1875, the son of Jamima, a widow who was born in Calcutta and had returned home. On 7th May 1896 at age 21 Charles was certified as a second mate on a foreign ship in the merchant service. On 24th Jan 1902 he was again certified and promoted to first mate now aged 27. In 1909 he married Elizabeth Spreadborough and by 1911 was living at 132 Charlton Lane, Charlton, Kent and is the father of Charles John born c1909 and Lora Bertha born c1911. His occupation according to the 1911 census is that of an Officer in the Mercantile Marine. At the outbreak of WW1 Charles enlisted in the Army and was sent to Winchester where he joined the 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps as A/626 Rfn McGavin. It is assumed that due to his experience in the merchant service he was found to be suitable for a technical role and eventually ended up within the Signals section of the Btn achieving the rank of Sjt. Following deployment to France in May 1915 with the Battalion, on 6th of November 1915, Sjt McGavin was given a commission to 2nd Lt and transferred to 18th Btn Hampshire Regiment, a home service Battalion. At some point during his time with the Hampshire's 2nd Lt McGavin found himself attached to 5th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps and it was whilst carrying out his duties with the 5th that he died on 24th Nov 1917 aged 42. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   Rflmn. Jack Gargini 7th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.11th May 1917) I believe Jack Gargini must have been a relative of my grandfather, possibly a cousin, but I am still investigating. Gargini is a rare name and my family came from Genova in Italy. My Great Grandfather was Italian. I am looking into the history of my ancestors. My grandfather was Remo John Gargini who also served in the First World War and survived, his brother called Giacomo Gargini (nicknamed Jack), also survived the Great War. Jack Gargini was born in St Pancras, Middlesex. He was killed in action in France and Flanders and was in his early twenties. I believe he was an only child, I am a mother of one son and can only imagine the heart break that must have been felt by his parents. It is a privilege to remember and honour his memory. Marie Add to this record.   Lt. Andrew Hunter Herbertson 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th May 1917) In 1992 I worked for Cumbria County Council as a care worker. An elderly lady, Dr Margaret Herbertson, told me of her sadness losing her brother Andrew Herbertson. He died serving with the 7th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps and is buried in Arras British Cemetery. She was one of the first female students to qualify in medicine from Oxford and was later to become a GP at the birth of the National Health Service. Andrew's father was the first Professor of Geography at Oxford - Andrew John Herbertson. Andrew was his only son. Mr P Holborn Add to this record.   Sgt. George Prowse 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.13th Aug 1915) George Prowse was 41 when he enlisted in the Army for the second time on 12th of August 1914, he had seen previous service with the Devonshire Regiment. At the time of his enlistment George was living in Ramsay House, Church Path, Acton, London along with his wife Esther, his daughter Vera and his sons George and Arthur and was working as a groom. On 14th Aug 1914 he arrived at Winchester and a few days later was appointed L/Cpl. On the 24th Aug he was posted on to the strength of the 7th Btn KRRC and promoted to Cpl on the 30th Aug. George must have proven himself a very capable, experienced soldier resulting in him becoming a Sjt on 1st Dec 1914. George embarked for France with his Battalion in May 1915 arriving in the area East of Ypres where following a period of instruction in trench warfare etc he, along with the Battalion settled into the front line routine. On 29th Jun the Battalion took over trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm from 43rd Infantry Brigade for a period of 9 days. Whilst in these trenches on 8th July George was wounded in action. The Battalion war diaries state that 'The whole of this tour of duty in the trenches was marked by considerable German artillery activity'. On 20th July George was again wounded this time it was considerably more serious receiving gunshot wounds to his neck, legs and arm. George died of his wounds on 13th Aug 1915. He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   Rfmn. Alfred Edward Treeves 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd Aug 1915) Alfred Treeves was a wood machinist by trade, the son of George and Agnes Treeves of 72 Distillery Rd, Old Brentford, Middlesex. He is commemorated at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   L/Cpl. Harry Skeel Duncan Dempster 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd Aug 1915) Harry Duncan Dempster was born in Bromyard, Herefordshire in 1889. The son of Robert Duncan Dempster and his wife Margaret. Prior to enlistment on 2nd Nov 1914 he was employed as a clerk. He was sent to the Rifle Depot at Winchester and was posted on strength of the 7th Btn KRRC on 10th of Nov 1914. Harry was promoted to L/Cpl on 28th Apr 1915 a month before the Battalion embarked for France. According to telegrams sent to Winchester from the War Office on 3rd Aug 1915 Harry was a patient undergoing treatment at No. 24 General Hospital in Etaples and is reported as being dangerously ill following a gunshot wound to his head. This telegram is timed as received at 9.45am and suggests that his relatives were informed. A second telegram received at 1.31pm states that Harry had died from his wounds. Harry was unmarried but on his death left behind his father, mother, 4 brothers and 5 sisters. L/Cpl Dempster is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery. His father had the following inscription carved on the cross that marks his grave 'Until The Day Dawns And The Shadows Flee Away'. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   Rfmn. Arthur George Hawley 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Jul 1915) Rfn. Arthur George Hawley was born in Birmingham and was employed as a cabinet maker. He enlisted in the Army on 22nd Aug 1914 and joined the 7th Btn. KRRC. He was sent to France with his Btn on 19th May 1915 and was eventually occupying trenches in the Ypres area. Rfn. Hawley was killed in action in the trenches to the North of Sanctuary Wood near the Hooge Crater on 30th Jul 1915 during a day of intensive fighting. He is one of the 114 members of 7th Btn KRRC killed on that day and is commemorated along with others of his Btn on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   L/Cpl. John Henry Badetscher 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Jul 1915) John Badetscher was born 11th Jul 1885 the son of John Badetscher a butler of Swiss nationality and Annie Giblin. He volunteered to join the Army on 14th Aug 1914. He was posted as Rfmn. upon transfer to B Coy, 7th KRRC on 31st Oct 1914 in Winchester. Following promotion to L/Cpl. on 29th Jan 1915 he embarked for France with his Btn on 19th May 1915 and after a period of training in trench warfare the Battalion was sent to the area of Ypres. At 3am on 30th Jul 1915 the Germans attacked the Allied positions along the Ypres front in force. B Coy was occupying trenches G2 and G3 near Hooge to the North of Sanctuary Wood. This attack was the first time flamethrowers were used against British troops and the effect was devastating. Very soon the 8th Btn, Rifle Brigade who were holding the trenches to the left and rear of B Coy broke and withdrew. This left B Coy in a position whereby they were coming under enemy fire from the front, left and rear. They defended their position throughout the day slowly being pushed along the trenches towards Sanctuary Wood. Sometime in the early afternoon elements of 8th Btn, KRRC arrived and helped the remnants of B Coy hold the position. It was during this period of fierce fighting that L/Cpl Badetscher was killed whilst laying mines to defend B Coys position. Available records show that his body was eventually recovered by a detachment from 1st Btn Royal Fusiliers and buried but unfortunately it would appear that the location was lost as he has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   2nd Lt. Richard Willingdon Somers-Smith 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Jun 1915) 2nd Lt. Somers-Smith was the eldest son of Robert Vernon Somers-Smith and M Gertrude Radcliffe. He was born 27th Oct 1882. He was educated at Eton and Merton College Oxford where he was a distinguished athlete representing both at rowing and running. On completion of his education he left the UK for Ceylon to work within the tea plantation industry. At the outbreak of WW1 he returned to the UK and was offered a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the 7th Btn KRRC. On 30th Jun 1915 whilst occupying front-line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm, East of Ypres enemy artillery fire hit the trenches his men were occupying burying several of them. 2nd Lt. Somers-Smith ran forward to assist in digging his men free and was killed in the attempt. He is buried beside a fellow 7th Btn Officer, 2nd Lt. H Grew in the Bedford House Cemetery. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   Rfmn. Joseph George Dowden 7th Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.18th Jul 1916) Joseph Dowden was born about 1889 in Marylebone London, a grocers assistant when he was 28 years old, he enlisted in the Army in 1914. He was married to Lilian who was 23 and pregnant with his second child, they already had a 4 year old son Edward and were living at 8 Cumberland St, Westminster. On the 21st of August 1914 George arrived at the Rifle Depot Winchester to begin training and was posted on strength of the 7th KRRC serving in C Coy on 25th Aug 1914. 13 days later tragedy struck. Sadly on 7th Sept 1914 Lily died as a result of giving birth. Her death is attributed to her pregnancy and puerperal septicemia. George was given leave to bury his wife and make arrangements for his children. From available records the children were cared for by the Children's Aid Committee from this period. George went absent from duty on the 31st Dec 1914 returning to the Battalion 15 days later on the 14th Jan 1915 and was fined 15 days pay. On the 24th Jan 1915 George again went absent without leave and was declared a deserter. He was struck off strength of the Regiment on 16th Feb 1915 following a Court of Inquiry carried out at Hindhead presided over by Capt. HM Gosling and 2nd Lt's. N B Fuller and J H Roe after evidence was heard from 1542 L/Sjt Pickup 7th KRRC. Despite all that had occurred George voluntarily returned to the Battalion on 2nd Mar 1915 and following a disciplinary hearing was awarded 28 days field punishment No. 2a which would possibly have been forced hard labour and secured when not working to prevent further escape. On the 19th May 1915 he embarked for France with his Battalion. After a period of training in trench warfare 7th Btn KRRC moved into the front-line trenches east of Ypres. He is recorded as being admitted to 16 General Hospital on 27th Jul 1915 with a distal radius fracture of his left arm. After a period of recovery in Rouen and light duties in 14th Division base area he returned to C Coy on 4th Sept 1915. On the 29th Sept 1915 he was injured again and was admitted to the 13th and then the 25th General Hospital for treatment. After a further period of convalescence and light duties he returned to his Battalion on 25th Feb 1916. On 1st Jul 1916 he was taken to No.30 Casualty Clearing Station with a serious gunshot wound. He died following treatment on 19th Jul 1916. There are several documents available showing that his children were still being cared for under the Children's Aid Committee the last known address for his son Edward being 22 East Stratton, Micheldelver, Winchester where on 29th Nov 1917 hiss personnel effects were sent. They consisted of 1 watch, 1 disc, 2 photographs a photograph case and a birth certificate. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   Rfmn. Arthur Agnew 7th Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.19th Aug 1916) Arthur Agnew, the son of Alice Agnew of 47 New Road, Chilworth, Guildford, and the late Thomas Agnew was 19 when he enlisted in the Army on 3rd Aug 1915 arriving at the Rifle Depot Winchester on 5th Aug 1915. He was initially posted to the 6th Btn on 14th Aug 1915 but after arriving in France he was posted to the 7th Btn on 2nd of February 1916. He died on 19th of Augusr 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   Rfn. Joseph Briley 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. (d.9th Sept 1914) Rfn Joseph Briley is the first casualty suffered by the 7th Battalion, KRRC during WW1.He was 30 years old when he re-enlisted in the KRRC on 29th Aug 1914 having previously served as 3328 Rfn Briley for a short period from 1900 at age 19 during the Boer War.His trade is listed as a Brass Moulder on his enlistment documentation and the 1911 census shows he was working manufacturing taps. Joseph, the son of Harry married Ellen Briley nee Hill on the 11th Sept 1909 in Birmingham. They had a daughter Ellen a year later. Joseph is listed as posted from the Depot in Winchester on 5th Sept 1914 to 7th Btn KRRC. Tragically he is also listed as attempting suicide for an unknown reason on the 6th Sept 1914. Rfmn Joseph Briley died on the 9th Sept 1914 at Chatham Hospital. He is buried in Fort Pitt Military Cemetery, Kent. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   Rfmn. B. Rush 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915) B. Rush signed up for service with the Army and was sent to Winchester to begin training and was eventually taken on strength of the 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He embarked for France on 19th May 1915 travelling by train through France into Belgium where his Battalion took up positions in the Ypres salient. He is listed by the CWGC as having died on 6th July 1915 whilst the Battalion was manning front line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm to the East of Railway Wood. He is buried at the Ypres Town Cemetery Extension. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   Rfmn. Eli Miller 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915) Eli Miller, a tailor from Birmingham signed up for service with the Army and was sent to Winchester to begin training and was eventually taken on strength of the 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He embarked for France on 19th May 1915 travelling by train through France into Belgium where his Battalion took up positions in the Ypres salient. He is listed as having died on 6th July 1915 whilst the Bataliotn was manning front line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm to the East of Railway Wood and is Commemorated at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   Rfmn. Alfred Burdett 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915) Alfred Burdett, a carter from Birmingham signed up for service with the Army on 18th Aug 1914 aged 22. He was sent to Winchester to begin training and was eventually taken on strength of the 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 21st Aug 1914. He embarked for France on 19th of May 1915 travelling by train through France into Belgium where his Batttalion took up positions in the Ypres salient. He is listed as having died on 6th July 1915 whilst the Battalion was manning front line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm to the East of Railway Wood. He is Commemorated at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. From information available his next of kin, his mother Sarah Ann Burdett for whatever reason never accepted or not received his medals as they appear to have been returned unopened. Ray Luckett Add to this record.   Maj. Edward Fairlie 17th (British Empire League) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Mar 1918) Edward Fairlie was born about 1882 the son of William Fairlie, J.P., D.L., of Holms, Ayrshire. He was the husband of Marjorie Fairlie. He joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps during August 1914 and was commissioned into the 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He arrived in France with his Battalion during May 1915 and is recorded in the Battalion War Diaries on 11th June 1915 as a Captain who was wounded in the area around Gordons Farm near Ypres. At some point Edward was promoted to the rank of Major and was killed in action on 30th March 1918 whilst on attachment to 17th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial. Ray Luckett Add to this record. Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

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