South Lancashire Regiment: Pte Davies of the 11th (Service) Battalion (St. Helen's Pioneers)

Holder's service details:

Edward Davies
Regiment or Corps: Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire) Regiment, Royal Engineers
Regimental Number: 40206, WR/332968

Edward Davies
MILITARY YEAR:
1914-1920
RANK:
Sapper
MEDAL AWARDED:
British War Medal and Victory Medal
REGIMENT OR CORPS:
Royal Engineers
REGIMENTAL NUMBER:
WR.332968
SUB UNIT:
Inland Water Transport
PREVIOUS UNITS:
11th S. Lan: Rgt, 40206, Pte., Royal Engineers, WR/332968 .

May have been called up March 1917 (cf. 40195 Joseph McGuire), or late Derby Scheme entrant (with service deferred?) (cf.40211 Frederick Chas Jones). Probably to France with S Lancs 20 June 1917.

(40211 Frederick C Jones of 13 Churchill St, Stockport was attested at Stockport for Gen Service 7 Dec 1915, posted to Army Reserve same day, home service 27-2-17 (mobilised & posted 3rd S Lancs) to 19-6-17, then France 20-6-17, transferred 13th btn Cheshire Rgt 9-7-17)

(40195 Joseph McGuire, 5 Trinity St St Helens, was called-up St Helens 1 Mar 1917(?) for 3rd S Lancs, to France 20.6.17, transferred 13th Cheshire (51067) 9.7.17, SW right arm 10.8.17, home 15.8.17 etc)

Potted history of the battalion:

The 11th (Service) Battalion (St Helens Pioneers) was formed in St. Helens on 1 September 1914 by Lord Derby. Came under the command of 30th Division as its Pioneer Battalion on 15 May 1915 and was adopted by the War Office three months later, on 15 August 1915.
Landed at Le Havre on 7 November 1915 and served on the Western Front until
15 May 1918 when reduced to cadre strength, being attached to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division one month later before returning to England for a short period, absorbing the 18th battalion and returning to France as Pioneers to 25th Division on 3 July 1918 .

During the time of Private Edwards' service with the battalion, it was undertaking pioneer Work to support Passchendaele offensive (31st July) from July 1917 until 6 August, then Lindenhoek working on Messines Ridge defences. It also provided support in connection with the Battles of the Scarpe and Pilkem Ridge. During the German Spring Offensive 1918 it was in the line at  Savy-Roupy opposite St Quentin where it distinguished itself.

Medal condition:

Fine; quite worn with light pitting: some darkening to obverse. Short length of modern ribbon.