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31st Division    The 31st Division was one of six Divisions formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army. The Division was largely comprised of locally raised units often known as Pals. It was a predominantly Northern Division, with most units originating in Lancashire or Yorkshire, hence the use of the red and white roses in the Divisional symbol. On 16th of December 1914, two Companies of the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry became the first troops of the New Armies to come under enemy fire, when they were manning the trenches of the Tyne and Tees defences which were shelled by the German ships Derfflinger, Von Der Tann and Blucher. After in most cases commencing training near home, the units were moved to concentrate at South Camp at Ripon in April and May 1915. There were severe shortages of arms, ammunition and much equipment. It was not until September that the Division moved for final training and firing practice at Fovant on Salisbury Plain. In late November 1915 the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France. Advance parties began to depart. But on 2 December final orders were received that the Division would go to Egypt, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division. Its own artillery would join 32nd Division in France. The advanced parties were recalled and the Division sailed from 7 December, with Divisional HQ being established at Port Said on Christmas Eve. The last units arrived in Egypt on 23 January 1916. The Division took over the No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal defences and Divisional HQ moved to Kantara on 23rd of January. The stay in Egypt was short, and between 1st and 6th of March the Division sailed to Marseilles for service on the Western Front. The 31st Division subsequently remained in France and Flanders and took part in these actions: 1916 The Battle of Albert - Somme including the attack on Serre The Battle of the Ancre - Somme 1917 Operations on the Ancre The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive The Capture of Oppy Wood - Arras Offensive 1918 The Battle of St Quentin - Somme The Battle of Bapaume - Somme The First Battle of Arras - Somme The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys The Defence of Nieppe Forest - Battles of the Lys The attack at La Becque - Battles of the Lys The capture of Vieux Berquin - Advance in Flanders The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders The action of Tieghem - Final Advance in Flanders The Division's advance across Flanders continued on 9 November when units forced a crossing of the River Scheldt. At the time when the Armistice came into effect, 1100 on 11 November, the advanced units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. The Division moved back to the Arques-Blendecques are and here men began to be demobilised. The Division ceased to exist on 20 May 1919. The Great War had cost 31st Division a total of 30091 men killed, wounded or missing. Order of Battle of the 31st Division 92nd Brigade On 16 April 1918 it was decided that due to the heavy casualties recently sustained, the 92nd and 93rd Brigades would be temporarily amalgamated and called the 92nd Composite Brigade. It was broken up two days later and the 92nd and 93rd Brigades were reconstituted soon after. 10th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Commercials) 11th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Tradesmen) 12th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (Hull Sportsmen) 13th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (Hull t'Others) 92nd Machine Gun Company joined 20 May 1916, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918 92nd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 11 April 1916 11th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment joined February 1918 (Accrington Pals) 93rd Brigade 15th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment (1st Leeds Pals) 16th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (1st Bradford Pals) 18th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (2nd Bradford Pals) 18th Btn, Durham Light Infantry (Durham Pals) 93rd Machine Gun Company joined 20 May 1916, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918 93rd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 12 April 1916 13th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment joined February 1918 (1st Barnsley pals) 94th Brigade The Brigade was broken up between 11 and 16 February 1918. It was reformed on 30 May 1918, principally from units that had been reduced down to training cadres. It was fully reconstituted on 21 June 1918 by the addition of units from the 74th Division, and redesignated 94th (Yeomanry) Brigade. 11th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918 (Accrington Pals) 12th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment disbanded February 1918 (Sheffield City Battalion) 13th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment (1st Barnsley Pals) 14th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment disbanded February 1918 (2nd Barnsley Pals) 94th Machine Gun Company joined 21 May 1916, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918 94th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 11 April 1916 2nd Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined as cadre May 1918, left June 1918 2nd Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined and left June 1918 12th Btn, Norfolk Regiment joined June 1918 (Norfolk Yeomanry) 12th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined June 1918 (Ayr & Lanark Yeomanry) 24th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined June 1918 (Denbighshire Yeomanry) 4th (Guards) Brigade Brigade joined from Guards Division on 8th February 1918, left for GHQ Reserve on 20th May 1918 4th Btn, Grenadier Guards 3rd Btn, Coldstream Guards 2nd Btn, Irish Guards 4th Guards Trench Mortar Battery Divisional Troops 12th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion May 1915 243rd Machine Gun Company joined 18 July 1917, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918 31st Battalion MGC formed 21 February 1918 Divisional Mounted Troops B Sqn, Lancashire Hussars left 9 May 1916 31st Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 9 May 1916 Divisional Artillery The original Divisional Artillery joined the 32nd Division between 30 December 1915 and 3 January 1916 CLV Brigade, RFA CLXI Brigade, RFA CLXIV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA CLXVIII Brigade, RFA 31st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA The original artillery of the 32nd Division moved to France to join the 31st Division on 8 December 1915 CLXV Brigade, RFA CLXIX Brigade, RFA broken up 24 January 1917 CLXX Brigade, RFA CLXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 27 August 1916 31st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA V.31 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 4 June 1916, broken up 5 February 1918 X.31, Y.31 and Z.31 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 31 March 1916; by 15 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each Royal Engineers 210th (Leeds) Field Company 211th (Leeds) Field Company 223rd (Leeds) Field Company 31st Divisional Signals Company Royal Army Medical Corps 93rd Field Ambulance 94th Field Ambulance 95th Field Ambulance 71st Sanitary Section left to join XIII Corps 4-11 March 1917 Other Divisional Troops 31st Divisional Train ASC originally 217, 218, 219 and 220 Coys, but this Train remained in Egypt in March 1916, joining 52nd (Lowland) Division. 221, 222, 223 and 279 Companies joined from 32nd Division in France 41st Mobile Veterinary Section AVC 228th Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917 31st Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop left for 52nd (Lowland) Division 21 April 1916 6th Dec 1915 18th DLI sail from Liverpool 6th Mar 1916 Under Way  18th DLI report "At 5am H.T. Ivernia sailed for Marseilles from Port Said." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Mar 1916  Move 9th Mar 1916  On the Move 11th Mar 1916  On the Move 13th Mar 1916  On the Move 14th Mar 1916  On the Move 25th of March 1916 Hostile Aeroplanes   27th of March 1916 Eight Patrols Out   1st of April 1916 Relief begins 2nd Apr 1916 Reliefs 3rd Apr 1916 Mist 4th Apr 1916 Trench Mortars   5th Apr 1916 Trench Mortars 1st of October 1916 A New Area 2nd of October 1916  Reconnoitring the Line   3rd of October 1916 MG Coys into the Line   6th of October 1916  31st Div Relieved 14th of October 1916 Patrols Out   23rd October 1916 "B" Coy. will be attached to the 2nd Suffolk Regt. 25th Dec 1916   Divisional Commander visited men of 18th DLI at their Xmas dinner at Famechon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th of January 1917 On Front Line   18th Jan 1917 Court of Inquiry 24th January 1917 Reorganisation 27th of February 1917 Pushing Forward   28th of February 1917 Relieved   7th of May 1917 Left Brigade Shelled   9th of May 1917 No Further Advance   18th of May 1917 Retaliatory Shelling   21st of May 1917 Quiet Night   10th of June 1917 Minor Op Planned   12th of June 1917 Relief   16th June 1917 Relieved 15th Royal Warwicks in Brigade Support, in Oppy Wood sector. 17th of June 1917 Quiet Day   24th of June 1917  A Raid   26th June 1917 Operation Order No.1 dated today. Major S.W. Montgomerie. Commanding 1st Norfolk Regt.   28th of June 1917  Successful Operation    3rd July 1917 Report   12th of July 1917  Back Areas Shelled    13th of July 1917   Front Extended   30th of August 1917  Gas Projected   3rd of September 1917  Quiet   7th of September 1917 Training   24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation 21st Jan 1918 Course 5th Feb 1918 Course Ends 13th Feb 1918 Personnel 21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation 22nd of March 1918 Retirements   23rd Mar 1918 Orders   23rd of March 1918 A March and an Extract   23rd of March 1918 Centre Sector Command Transfer 25th Mar 1918 Withdrawal 25th Mar 1918 In Action 26th Mar 1918 On the Move 26th Mar 1918 Infantry Withdraw   27th Mar 1918 In Action   27th Mar 1918 New Positions 31st of March 1918 Relief Completed   31st Mar 1918 In Action   11th Apr 1918 Reliefs Complete   12th of April 1918 Enemy Advances   12th Apr 1918 In Action   12th of April 1918 Attack Ordered   13th of April 1918 Enemy Attacks   17th of April 1918 HQs Move   17th of April 1918  A Relief and a Barrage   21st of April 1918   Gas Attack Expected   30th of April 1918 Reliefs and Attacks   30th of April 1918 Reports   22nd of June 1918  Slight Activity   28th of June 1918 Successful Attack   29th of June 1918 Enemy Guns Active   5th of July 1918 Relief Completed   13th of July 1918  Unchanged Situation   30th of August 1918 Enemy Withdraws   5th of September 1918  Situation Unchanged   6th of September 1918 Attack Launched   24th of October 1918  Advance Continues   13th November 1918 At 0800 hours Battalion moved forward to Outpost Line at Brammont If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 31st Division? There are:80 items tagged 31st Division 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 31st Division during the Great War 1914-1918. Baker Frank. Cpl. 10th (Hull) Btn. Black Myer. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.13th Nov 1916) Johnston Peter James. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.8th Nov 1918) Matson Charles. Cpl. 18th Btn. (d.2nd Mar 1917) Metcalfe James Thomas. Sgt. 18th Btn. (d. ) Rutherford Thomas James. Pte. 18th Btn. (d.17th Feb 1918) Walker Alfred Richard. Pte. 18th Btn. (d.1st Mar 1917) All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2023 marks 24 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. Looking for help with Family History Research?    Please see Family History FAQ's Please note: We are unable to provide individual research. Can you help? The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors. 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I have a record of him being treated at the No. 11 Casualty Clearing Station for synovitis of the knee after having spent 9 months in the field. Transferred from sick convoy on 4/1/1917, discharged back to duty on 10/1 1917. He participated in the actions at Dullens Citadel (19/6/16 to 13/8/16), Gezaincourt (14/8/16 to 9/10/16), and Varennes (10/10/16 to 14/5/17). He was awarded the Military Medal for the part he played helping to delay the German advance at the Battle of the Lys. On the 12th of April 1918, his battalion was fighting a rearguard action, and a party was detailed to hold up the Germans until the battalion placed itself in a stronger position. The movement was carried out successfully. Corporal Baker was with 2nd Lt. Montgomery, who was awarded the Military Cross for his actions that day. They were the only two left in the party. It was a great and glorious deed in which Corporal Baker played a very worthy part. Lord Mayor Presentation of MM to Corporal Baker [clipping from Hull Mail] . Finally, although completely surrounded by the Germans, 2nd Lt. Montgomery and Cpl. Baker were able to make it back to their own lines. Later that year he had another lucky escape. He was witnessing a demonstration on anti-aircraft firing using the Stokes 3 inch mortar, the weapon which the unit used. 2nd Lt. Montgomery was also present. During the demonstration, a mortar shell exploded prematurely killing several people including the commanding officer, Capt. D. Oakes. My grandfather was standing 3 feet behind the man conducting the demonstration (Sgt. F.J. Russell), who was killed when the shell he was placing in the mortar exploded, but whose body shielded the brunt of the blast from my grandfather. Peter Baker Add to this record. 220485 Pte. Peter James Johnston 11th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Nov 1918) Peter Johnston served with the 11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 8th November 1918. He is buried in Vichte Military Cemetery, Belgium. Jenny Scott Add to this record. 218968 Pte. Myer Black 11th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916) Myer Black served with the 11th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment during ww1 and died on the 13th November 1916. He is buried in Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Somme, France. Add to this record. 218748 Sgt. James Thomas Metcalfe 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d. ) James Thomas Metcalfe was my Grandfather. He went to Egypt with the Darlington Pals the 18th Division of The Durham Light Infantry where he was Batman to a Corporal Jesse H Kenworthy. He then went to the Somme where he took two hens to Roast for his men, not finding any dry wood for the fire he came across a church door that he broke down. The French were not happy about this so my Grandfather lost his stripes. At least him and his men had a hot meal that night to go with their rations. Marylyn Boal Add to this record. 215999 Pte. Alfred Richard Walker 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Mar 1917) Alfred Richard Walker, Private 10411, enlisted at Jarrow, served with the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and died age 28 on the 1st March 1917. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Gommecourt British Cemetery. No. 2 Hebuterne. Alfred was born in Jarrow 1888, son of William and the late Eliza Walker. In the 1911 census he is living at 26 Swindon Street, Hebburn with his sister Alice Howell nee Walker(24) and her husband of two years James Howell(24) a coal miner shifter (underground). They had 1 child who did not survive. Alfred(23) single, is a ships rivetter heater. Also resident are Alfred's widowed father John Walker(61) a Blacksmith Striker, Robert Walker(13) and Edward(8) both at school. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215638 Pte. Thomas James Rutherford 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.17th Feb 1918) Thomas James Rutherford, Private 25549, enlisted at Bramshott and served in the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He died age 22 on the 17th February 1918 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and Roclincourt Military Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory medals. Thomas was born in Jarrow in 1895. No further details of his family have been found. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 214016 Cpl. Charles Matson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Mar 1917) Charles Matson, Corporal 18/113, served in the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 2nd Mar 1917. He is remembered at the Darlington Railway Museum and at Sailley-au-Bois Cemetery Charles was born on the 10th December 1895 in Aycliffe, son of Thomas and Mary Matson nee Garry. He served with the 18th (Service) Battalion (1st County) Durham Light Infantry. Aycliffe Village Local History Society Add to this record.

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