Miscellaneous research snippets

3356 Pte Sydney Nunn, 1/4th Lincolnshire Regiment, France theatre 18/8/15, wounded in action circa late September 1915 (listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from 28th October 1915), discharged July 1916 and pensioned.

44914 Pte Arthur Ward of Smethwick, served Essex Regiment. Wounded in action circa mid-September 1918 (War Office Daily List No. 5699 of 18 Oct 1918); subsequently pensioned for gun shot wound left foot. Possible additional regimental number 38809.

3/1715 and 4202 Pte Arthur Arnold Bomford, Essex Regiment. Pre-war Special Reservist, enlisted 5 September 1912. Date of entry to F& F theatre 12 January 1915 with 2nd Essex. As 1715 'Bamford' was listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from 18th July 1915. At this time was with the 2nd Battalion. Later renumbered 4202, served with 7th Battalion (Territorial Force). Discharged physically unfit (para 392(xvi) of King's Regulations) due to wounds, 27 June 1916.Entitled to SWB, badge number 15040.

19793 Pte George Dykes, wounded c.4 Jul 1916 with South Lancashire Regiment, 8th (Service) Battalion, Somme. Service From Date: 17 Jul 1915. Service To Date: 26 Jul 1917. Later issued Silver War Badge.

16390 Private G Steele of the 1st Manchester Regiment. Wounded in action Mesopotamia circa May 1916, FGCM for sleeping at duty, later stokes mortar gunner in a TM Battery

5042 Brownhill, Thomas Henry Cheshire Regiment, later 50459 Cheshire Regiment. Marriage Date 22 Oct 1912, Kempsford. Later lived KELS[G?]ALL COTTAGE, CHURCH LANE ASHTON ON MERSEY. Initial service appears to have been with the 10th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, then would have transferred to the 9th Battalion when the 10th was reduced to cadre strength. As 50459 wounded in action 5 November 1918. At this time the battalion was part of the 56th Brigade, in the 19th (Western) Division. He was listed as wounded in War Office Daily List No.5754 of 21 December 1918. One of 132 other ranks wounded in the operations between 3 and 9 November 1918.

52784 PTE. W. HOWE. E. YORK. R.

PoW captured "Cauroy" (sic - possibly Caudry?), later entitled to GSM with clasp Iraq

T4/144978 Oscar Guy Howard, born Walthamstow, lived in Hayes Lane, Fakenham, enlisted 27 October 1915 aged 19 years 11 months at Fakenham and medically examined at Norwich, formerly employed as a baker,, served overseas from 8 December 1915 to February 1917 in the Royal Army Service Corps as a horse transport driver in 25th Divisional Train HQ Company. Invalided home 24 February 1917, suffered Bronchitis/Debility attributd to exposure whilst on active service, later pensioned for 20% disability. Home service until discharged March 1919.

23058 Pte W G Jessup, 4th Worcester Regiment, enlisted 13 March 1915, disembarked Balkan theatre 16 July 1915, listed as wounded on War Office casualty list for 8 September 1915, issued Silver War Badge as Jessop circa 14 August 1916 (discharged due to sickness)

28272 Driver Frank Schofield of Oldham, a member of the original BEF from 19 August 1914, 28th Brigade RFA.entitled to the 1914 Star.

T-22711 Driver T E Raven, 1914 Star with rose and Victory Medal. Thomas Edward Raven. Entered theatre of war August 1914. Attached 2nd Manchesters. Issued clasp & roses. Probable Old Contemptibles Association member circa 1938, living in Ruislip. Hospitalised 1 January 1915 with indigestion and evacuated to UK. Appears to have spent rest of war on home service.

L-12945 Pte ANDREWS F.C. Middlesex 14 Star & BWM broken group - later transferred to Army Cyclist Corps as 1439 and died on 14 May 1915 of wounds incurred with 8th Divisional Cycle Company on 13 May 1915

2553 Dvr ROBINSON E RFA 15 Star broken group - died whilst German prisoner of war

11391 Reynolds 1914 Star trio Frostbite Dec 1914, GSW 16/17 June 1915 with 3rd Worcesters Battle of Bellewaarde, full service record on FMP

2900 and 200728 Chantry 1/4th Green Howards GSW 3 may 1915 during Battle of St Julien (British withdrawal 3 May 1915) To Class W at Catterick 1917 (as J G Chantrey)

19684 Bickley 9th West Yorkshire Regiment, entitled to trio, hospital record for Battle of Thiepval Ridge period 26-28 Sept 16.

39031 Williams 12th Gloucestershire Regiment (Bristol's Own). Wounded in Action 4/5 November 1917 (Mustard Gas poisoning) at Ypres probably one of four casualties when the battalion went into the line on 5 November, and again circa 15 April 1918, end of Battle of Hazebrouck period, defending the Forest of Nieppe, when the battalion repulsed a German attack.

20219 A O'Connell East Kent Regiment (Buffs) and G/38497 Queen's. WO Casualty list for 31 August 1917. Wounded, GSW chest circa 26 March with 6th Buffs via 51st Field Ambulance and on WO Casualty list for 27 April 1918.

7474 Charles Verge Wiltshire Regiment

7/1208 (later 38284) Scott trio & plaque 1/7th and 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers KIA Arras(?) 1917

31550 JS Moore 1/4th KSLI WIA March 1918.

SWB to 1569 John Ashcroft 3rd West Lancashire Field Ambulance RAMC. Discharged owing to burns.

23796 Corporal G.H. GOODWRIGHT, Lancashire Fusiliers wia 2/5th LF 9 April 1918

CRAIGS Edward. Pte 43693, Durham Lt Inf, KiA 05/10/1918 (13th DLI, Battle of Beaurevoir)

Kirkham, 25th Liverpool, awarded MM for river crossing under fire (Escaut?) Sept 1918

Livesey or Livesay, 2/5th Liverpool, awarded Military Medal for bravery in treating the wounded under fire, Passchendaele. Newspaper coverage. Date slightly off but around 1 Nov 1917?

JG Moule Wounded 2/6th W Riding 27 Nov 17. PoW 29th DLI 12(?) Oct 1918 (prob captured whilst with A platoon - ambush whilst on pattol).

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/717545:60779?_phsrc=BhG7467&_phstart=successSource&ml_rpos=8&queryId=cb0556127a978bf07584f7653ce2cf37

Richard Carwardine 

WW1 medals trio

1/4th Gloucesters 5 years penal servitude for sleeping on duty commuted for courage probably in action at Leipzig Redoubt on the Somme, Aug 1916

Service record:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/1114/images/miuk1914a_083791-01524?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=1bbb5548a6995150f41d5137ea2888ff&usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true&pId=684173

W/d: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/60779/images/43112_2758_1-00141?ssrc=&backlabel=Return

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/?name=_Halls&count=50&keyword=3612&keyword_x=1&location=3257.3250&name_x=1_1&priority=united-kingdom

Mons Star group Chown Middlesex, wounded 1917, 1918

Mons Star group Vassie 2/Dgns Wounded list 14 Dec with 1 Life Guards?

119849 J Meehan of Dublin (see: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO363-4%2F007382473%2F00564&parentid=GBM%2FWO363-4%2F7382473%2F22%2F564) Chester Medals £145

WW1 1914 MONS STAR TRIO, WOUNDED OCTOBER 1914 & DISCHARGED

1914 Mons star trio

To- 7978.PTE.W.CORNISH.2nd.D.L.I

William Cornish enlisted in to the Durham Light Infantry 10-9-1902 & first landed in France with the 2nd battalion 8-9-1914. He received a gun shot wound to the right shoulder some time between the 15th & 18th of October 1914 £195 The Medal Centre

26143 Field RE Mons Star & VM - KiA German Spring Offensive

4623 Reddick 1st Rifle Brigade Mons Star & BWM - PoW Le Cateau

Robert Morris York & Lancs trio

(https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/1219/images/30972_176822-00398?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=28bcb6476c604d368cac3318b569d93d&usePUB=true&_phsrc=BhG5172&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=1347259)

WW1 1914 Star trio to 2nd siege battery Royal Artillery 

Star named to 29655 GNR. A. R. GREIG. R.G.A.

Pair named 29655 GNR. A. R. GREIG. R.A.

Wounded Oct 1914, 1917, 2nd and 20th Siege Btys)

WW1 British 1914 star trio to the Royal Field Artillery 

Star named to 14007 GNR. D. HENDERSON. R.F.A.

Pair named to 14007 GNR. D. HENDERSON. R.A. 

- £129.99, wounded by gas March 1918

WW1 Territorial Efficiency group to the Army Service Corps

BWM and victory named to T4-056685 DVR. C. J. SATTERLEY. A.S.C.

TEM named T4/056685. DVR. C. J. SATTERLEY. R.A.S.C.

Served France from March 1916. TFEM awarded 1944? Possibly a late award because he was remustered as Regular ASC during the War?

Great War RAMC Territorial Efficiency Medal Group

1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal trio with the Territorial Efficiency Medal to 1355 PTE. W. HEYWOOD.  R.A.M.C. with the TFEM named to 354036 PTE. W. HEYWOOD.  R.A.M.C.

New Testament inscribed to Pte. W. Heywood, No 74,  1/3 East Lancashire Field Ambulance 12th November 1915, Malta

- wounded Gallipoli(?), served France 8th Stat Hosp Wimereux. TFEM awarded Aug 1919 

WW1 Victory Medal 7849 SPR. J.H. ANDREWS. R.E. Entitled to TFWM and SWB (West Lancs or 2nd West Lancs Divisional Signal Company 

E White 16417 R Fus served 2nd, 3rd, 2nd Btns, theatre dates available, wounded Salonika and Western Front, no service record 

2nd daily list entry: https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/194140976 (section 16) - incorrectly transcribed on FWR

1966 PTE.S.V.CLARK .  HAMPS.R. - [1/]9th Hampshire Cyclist Bn (India) then 14th & 15th Hampshire (1st & 2nd Portsmouth) wia, probably with former, Aug(?) 1917. 

Shackleton Rifle Brigade- wounded 3 times 

Hacking wounded carrying food with 1st E Lancs attd 20th Manchesters 14 July 1916, then again with 2nd Worcesters blown up on Passchendaele Ridge 2 Dec 1917

401246 Taylor 12th Manchester wia 22 April 1918, 26 August 1917(?)

 ?341332 W Wheat 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers captured Bullecourt 21 March 1918 

McTurk 1/8th West Yorkshire Rgt - wounded, probably first Mustard gas attack at Nieuport 22 July 1917

CE Thomson wia HLI, KOSB 1918

https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=1219&h=1959247&tid=&pid=&queryId=5988040390412dc08e058f9317649688&usePUB=true&_phsrc=BhG6270&_phstart=successSource&_gl=1*11uolop*_ga*MTE4NzgwNDk4NS4xNTc5MzUyMzA0*_ga_4PXYE4RLH1*MTY0MDYxMTU1NS4xMS4xLjE2NDA2MTE3MjMuMA..

46346 Stringer W Yorks wounded shrapnel 24 August Battle of Albert capture of Thiepval Ridge 

79001 GNR W White R.A. wounded Oct 1917, 8" howitzer battery (See: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Riding_Royal_Garrison_Artillery)

8429 Shaw 1st KORLR Mons Star trio - poss wounded Le Cateau?

628 A Gordon Black Watch trio, hospitalised sore feet dec 1914.

WW1 War and Victory Medals, Middlesex Regiment G-57747 [PoW] 

2979 McCoy R Suss R pow 

8650 White Devon Mons Star broken trio, wound records

G-93555 Hitner Middlesex Enemy Aliens Labour Btn

MacRo pair 240th Siege Bty 6" howitzer, wia 1918 

Newton 4th Heavy Battery & 294th Siege Bty (6" hows) 

5373/267007 Charles Fifield Northumberland Fusiliers pair [wia with 149th TMB March 1918]

4666/303037 Pte L Hughes KLR Ent SWB, wounded 1916 (with 1/5th KLR?) 

97888 DVR D J Collins RFA. Llanelli man. 1st DAC. WiA 8 May 1918. Entitled 1914-15 Star.

Group of 3 Medals To Sgt David M Stephens, 7th Battalion Liverpool Regiment - British War & Victory Medals (1699 Sjt D M Stephens L'Pool R ), Territorial Efficiency Medal

( 3760177 Cpl D M Stephens 7- Kings R ). Also served as 265251 (or 265250). Lived 231 Stanley Road Bootle Liverpool. Also entitled to 1914-15 Star - two wound records, attached 2nd KAR, no service record, missing Star. TFEM awarded 1924. Letter available from him online indicating saw action May 1915

VM & TFEM with 2 clasps Heath RFA awarded the TFEM with bar.Victory Medal named 639 SJT F J HEATH RA.Territorial Force Efficiency Medal with bar named 805308 SJT F HEATH RFA. Also 731732 Heath. 2 clasp verified. First TFEM awarded May 1919.

WW1 14 Star, BWM & Victory Medal 310 Pte J Culverhouse 1/Rifle Brigade several times wounded - once in 1915 twice(?) in 1917

Whitcroft Northumberland Fusiliers & 2/4th York & Lancaster entitled pair, wounded fighting at Marcoing 29 September 1918

ww1 Trio Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. T Halls, East Kent Regiment (Buffs) Halls 7th Buffs wounded 5 April 1918

Harman Royal Warwickshire Regiment (later 1/Queens) - wounded in action 21 September 1918, Battle of St Quentin Canal. Entitled pair

SMITH John Ingham L/Cpl 204056 1/5th Durham Lt Inf, died 12/10/18. Memorial plaque Lightly polished with 2 small holes (died as PoW)

GS/21459 Pte F Taylor, Royal Fusiliers, Prisoner of War, Cambrai 13-15 December 1917

GS/21459 Pte F Taylor, Royal Fusiliers, Prisoner of War, Cambrai 13-15 December 1917

 

Frederick Isaac Taylor enlisted for General Service. He was given the regimental number GS/21459 and served in the Royal Fusiliers (London Regiment), initially going overseas to join the 4th Royal Fusiliers (in the 9th Brigade of 3rd Division) as a Corporal on 12 April 1916. He remained with the 4th Battalion until 29 July 1916, which would have put him in line to take part with them in the Battle of the Somme, in particular the 14-15 July attack on Bazentin-le-Grand. He then had a break in service shown on his medal roll entry, which may indicate that he was invalided to the UK due to sickness. At the time of his departure the battalion, having been in Delville Wood, was out of the line in the Meaulte area.

On 25 April 1917 he was posted overseas again, this time to the 2nd Royal Fusiliers, before being posted to the 22nd (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Kensington) on the 14th of the following month. Possibly he was one of a draft of 5 other ranks received on 16 May when the battalion was out of the line at Ecurie. By this time the 22nd Battalion was very low in strength, having lost significant numbers of men in both the operations to follow-up the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and then later in the Battle of Arras, one source suggesting a strength of only nine officers and 174 men at about this time. By 23 May the battalion was organised as two companies and holding the line in the Arleux Loop, opposite Fresnoy, and it is likely that he was in the trenches with the battalion at this time, prior to it being withdrawn to Bray for training, and later sent along with the rest of the division to the Bethune sector. After a few periods in the line in the Cambrin sector and intensive training whilst out of the line in Rambert near Bethune, and later Herzeele, in the Ypres sector, he would have been in line to serve with the 22nd in their last major action, 30 November to 5 December 1917, the Battle of Cambrai. The battalion was first committed to battle in relief of the 186th (2/2nd) West Riding) Bridge in Bourlon Wood at 4.30am on 28 November, forming a defensive flank to the 186th Brigade area, remaining there for the day under shellfire at a cost of 44 casualties, 7 fatal, before being sent to the Canal du Nord defences where it remained, assisting in fighting off a German attack on 2 December and another whilst withdrawing from its more exposed positions in Canal Trench on the night of 4th-5th December. During the period 30 November to 5 December the battalion suffered four officers and 70 other ranks wounded, six other ranks killed, and one other rank missing. Having withdrawn to Hermies, the battalion returned again to the canal defences in the right bank of the canal on 13 December and there was involved in beating-off a grenade attack on the battalion’s advanced sap on 15 December 1917.

Cpl Taylor is shown in his medal roll entry as serving with the 22nd Royal Fusiliers until 14 December 1917 and was recorded (as Lance-Sergeant Taylor) as having been captured at ‘Cambrai’ whilst serving with ‘C’ Company on 13 December (whilst the battalion was manning the Canal du Nord defences). It seems likely that both of these dates are slightly out, and that Cpl Taylor was captured in the course of the abovementioned attack (three missing other ranks are mentioned in the 99th Brigade War diary for this day).

War Office Daily List No.5476 of 26 Jan 1918 listed him as Missing, with his next of kin address being Willenhall. As of 16 February 1918 he was incarcerated at Dulmen, having been previously incarcerated at Le Quesnoy. This record confirmed that he was born on 21 January [18]?7 in Wolverhampton and gave his next of kin as Mrs Taylor, address 16 Birchfield Street, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire.

In War Office Daily List No. 5497 of 20 Feb 1918 he was Listed as Previously reported missing, now reported prisoner of war in German hands. The List also gave his Next Of Kin Address as Willenhall. War Office Daily List No.5750 of 17 Dec 1918 Listed him as Released Prisoner of War from Germany, arrived in England and gave a revised next of kin address as Wolverhampton.

34092 Gunner Herbert George Styles of the Royal Garrison Artillery

A pair of medals said to be named to H G STYLES RA. I have done a quick bit of research and the medal rolls contain one H G Styles of the Artillery. that is to say 34092 Gunner Herbert George Styles of the Royal Garrison Artillery. I can't guarantee without confirmation of the regimental number on the medals that this is the same man, however it seems likely. If so, he was also entitled to the 1914-15 Star, entering the France and Flanders theatre on 3 October 1915. At some point he served with 50th Siege Battery, RGA, a 6" gun battery. By early August 1918 he was a Bombardier. He was recorded as wounded in War Office Daily List no.5664 of 7 September 1918, suggesting that he was wounded in early August. This list confirmed his next of kin address as Worcester. He was discharged to the Army Section 'B' Reserve on 14 March 1919.

G/14255 Pte T Cleary 7th Queens Prisoner of War

G/14255 Pte Thomas Cleary, 7th Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), German Spring Offensive 1918 Prisoner of War

 Thomas Cleary was born on or about 18 December 1877 in Kilrush, County Clare. Taking up a ‘duration of war’ enlistment in the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment (as indicated by the ‘G/’ prefix to his regimental number of G/14255), he would have gone overseas some time after 31 December 1915. Judging by the case of the closety-numbered G/14260 Pte Albert James Button, his date of enlistment/mobilisation is likely to have been around 28/29 April 1916 (Pte Button having been mobilised on the former date, and then posted to the 12th Queens’ on the latter). Although his date of posting overseas has not been recorded it is possible that Pte Cleary, like Pte Button, may have gone overseas as early as the end of September 1916. This would have put him in line to take part with the battalion in the latter stages of the Battles of the Somme and Ancre in 1916, and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre, the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battle of Arras (Third Battle of the Scarpe), and then various battles of the Third Battle of Ypres including the Battles of Pilkem Ridge, Langemarck and both battles of Passchendaele.

He was captured at Saint Quentin or Vendeuil Fort on or about 22 March 1918, during the German Spring Offensive, whilst serving with D (or C according to one source) Company, 7th Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). At this time the battalion was in the Vendeuil sector, having been relieved from the front line the previous week. Late on the night of 20 March the battalion ‘stood to’, manning battle positions when the German attack went in in the early morning of the 21st. After some action including the loss of a left front company patrol in the battle zone which was attempting to make contact with the enemy or reach the 7th Buffs headquarters , the battalion was forced to withdraw, initially to Frieres Wood on the 22nd, and took up defensive positions near the canal, prior to significant defensive action during the day of the 23rd – it is possibly at this time or in the context of the patrol on the 21st that Pte Cleary was captured. He was one of 19 officers and 323 men who were killed, wounded or missing during the German Spring Offensive. On 29 May 1918 he was shown as being in Prison Camp Hammelburg but on the Lazarettliste (Hospital list) . This may indicate loss of a hand and some kind of injury to his thigh (verl.Hand U Schkl).

War Office Daily List No. 5688 of 5 October 1918 confirms him as wounded and prisoner of war, based on a list received from the German Government. He was thereby entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916, the terms of this award being met by being named in such a list. The list also confirmed his Next of Kin address as Willesden Green, London N.W. As of 7 Oct 1918 he was incarcerated in a Prison Camp at Darmstadt and then by 23 November in Güstrow . This latter record confirms his next of kin address as 31 Shootup Hill, Brondesbury, London NW. He would have been repatriated to the United Kingdom shortly thereafter, being discharged circa 20 April 1919. By this time his address was 110 [D]eacon Road, Willesden Green.

For his service he was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal, which he would have received some time after September 1920.

5102 B Barrett Indian Telegraph Department

5102 – B Barrett Indian Telegraph Department, East Africa or Mesopotamia

(Lt Col E.W.C. Sandes “The Indian Sappers and Miners”)

In January 1890 the Indian Telegraph Department assumed responsibility for military telegraphy in India, and it was decided that in future expeditions the Department should make all arrangements for Army telegraphs, using either civilian telegraphists or Indian Sapper and Miner personnel who had been attached for training.

As a means of training, two sub-divisions of the telegraph system were to be worked entirely by Madras Sappers under the orders of the Director General of Telegraphs.

Meanwhile the Indian Sapper and Miner Regiments trained in other aspects of military signals duties and formed Divisional Signal Companies.

When Indian Expeditionary Force “B” was sent to East Africa in 1914 the Force Headquarters included a Telegraph Section. The manning of this Section included military telegraph operators recalled from service with the Indian Telegraph Department.

 (Courtesy of Great War Forum member Bushfighter.)

When in India, civilian employees were employed in the "Posts and Telegraphs Department". It is suggested that during most of WW1 when outside India the Post and Telegraph Departments operated independently, the Telegraph Department operations being under the Signal Officer-in-Chief.

I am inclined to think that due to the absence of a quoted rank, and military formation within the naming of the medal, that this medal was awarded to a civilian member of the Indian Telegraph Department, for service in Mesopotamia or East Africa.

37055 / 06612- Pte R.F. Frith, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and Hampshire Regiment

37055 / 06612- Pte R.F.Frith Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

Robert Francis Frith served as a Private with the 1/4th Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, probably going overseas some time after 31 December 1915. Depending upon his date of joining the battalion (and departure) he may have served in Aden, in the Suez Defence Force, and in Palestine. He was subsequently transferred to the Hampshire Regiment, given the new regimental number 06612, and posted to an unrecorded battalion. If this transfer took place in-theatre, it is possible that he transferred to a Territorial battalion of the Hampshires, of which the 1/8th, 2/4th and 2/5th served in Egypt and/or Palestine. His British War Medal and Victory Medal were issued off the Hampshire Regiment roll some time after 19 May 1920.

Gnr Kimpton, Pnr Foster, Pte Towse

319079 Gnr Harold P Kimpton, Royal Garrison Artillery

Gunner Harold Pearman Kimpton served in the London Royal Garrison Artillery, enlisting on 17 January 1916. His initial regimental number was 1979, he was later issued with the six-digit number 319079. This is amongst the number bloc allocated to the London Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

Gnr Kimpton was listed as wounded in War Office Daily List No.5437 of 8 December 1917, suggesting that he was wounded in late October or early November. As such he was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916, the terms of this award being met by being named in such a list. The list confirmed his next of kin address as New Barnet. He may have been with 1/1st London Heavy Battery at the time. The war diary of the battery mentions gas shelling of the battery whilst in the line on 31 October 1917 and it is possibly in this incident that Gnr Kimpton was wounded. Alternatively he may have been with the 1/2nd London Heavy Battery in 13th Heavy Artillery Group, which was heavily in action at Passchendaele at this time and incurred three casualties in the month of October.

He was put under treatment for Mustard Gas poisoning at Catterick Military hospital. He was discharged, aged 25, on 7 March 1919 under paragraph 392 (xvi a) of King’s Regulation as no longer physically fit (“Surplus to military requirements (having suffered impairment since entry into the service”). He was issued with the Silver War Badge number B346757 and pensioned at 5/6 weekly from 8 March 1919 to 9 September 1919. His postwar address was Woodcote Park Road, New Barnet, North London.

 

129084 Pioneer Courtenay S Foster, Royal Engineers (Special Brigade)

Courtenay Foster first enlisted into the 31st (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, being given the regimental number 1819; this probably took place on 30 November 1915 (the date of enlistment given in his entry on the Silver War Badge roll). He appears to have been one of a large number of men transferred from their parent units to the Royal Engineers to join the forming Special Brigade – in his case circa 11 March 1916. The Special Brigade was formed in order to undertake gas warfare and at this time was undergoing a significant enlargement. At this time he would have been given his new regimental number 129084 (along with five other 31st battalion men who were given consecutive numbers after his) and his rank of Pioneer (there was no Trade Test for the specialisms of the gas troops in the Special Brigade, hence no appointments as ‘Sapper’). Within two months he was in France with the 1st Battalion, the Special Brigade (comprising ‘A’ to ‘D’ Companies, each consisting at this time of six sections). At this time these were ‘cylinder companies’ (that is, they were concerned with the delivery of gas through discharge from cylinders, as opposed to companies that operated stokes mortars). Each 225-man company consisted of 7 officers, 12 non-commissioned officers and 206 other ranks. Pnr Foster’s number is in a block associated with ‘A’ Special Company but he could have been serving with any of the four. At this time the 1st Battalion was serving in the Somme sector under the command of General Headquarters Fourth Army at Albert. He was admitted to hospital (no.3 Casualty Clearing Station, record reference MH106/318) with Bronchitis (possibly connected with his employment in a gas unit) on 12 July 1916. This record states his unit as “1st Battalion, Special Brigade, X Corps”. The following day he was transferred to no.6 Ambulance Train for medical evacuation. His unit continued to serve on the Somme. It was present in the Le Transloy area although not directly involved in the battle, and likewise under GHQ 5th Army at the Ancre Heights. Under the command of GHQ 4th Army the battalion was engaged in the fighting at Pozieres. Pnr Foster was eventually discharged from the Army under paragraph 392 (xvi) of King’s Regulations, due to sickness, on 4 May 1917.

After discharge from the Royal Engineers Depot, Special Brigade, he was issued the Silver War Badge, Badge Number 184060.

 

46522 Private (Rifleman) Arthur Evan Towse,3rd Rifle Brigade, killed in action 11 October 1918

Arthur Evan Towse was born on 23 March 1899 in Wimbledon, Surrey, to John (a clothier) and Jane Towse. He was baptised at St Mary's Church, Merton, Surrey, on 3 March 1912, at which time the family were living at 60 Adela Avenue, Merton (New Malden), John still being employed as a clothier. In April 1911 the family were living in New Malden, which was also Arthur’s place of residence when he enlisted at Kingston. Pte Towse appears to have been mobilised circa late April 1917, going overseas circa late March 1918, there to join the 3rd Rifle Brigade, part of the 6th Division. On 29 June 1918 Pte Towse was under the care of 4th Stationary Hospital (record reference MH 106/1485) with influenza, this record (from the hospital’s admissions and discharge book) crediting him with one year two months’ service, of which three months was with the field force. Although he possibly escaped the initial attacks of the German Spring Offensive 1918, this would have put him in line to take part in the Battle of Epehy in September 1918, and the Battle of Cambrai in October, during which the 6th Division captured Bohain.

Pte Towse was killed in action with the 3rd Rifle Brigade on 11 October 1918, during the Final Advance in Picardy. He was aged 19. This was in the context of the attack on St Aubert. The battalion war diary describes the circumstances as follows:

[10th October] “Commander was sent for to Brigade and received verbal instructions as to the attack for the next day which was to start from AVENES-LES-AUBERT in square.28 and was to take ST AUBERT and push on to line of the railway east of River SELLE in square V.4.b. The conference lasted a considerable time, and Coy Commanders were not got together until well after 22:00 hours. Verbal instructions were immediately issued to Coy. Commanders as to the objectives and method of attack. Written orders were issued later, but it was not possible to get these out until the actual hour for the start, i.e. 0330 hours had arrived, and no written orders were received from Brigade until Battn had actually formed-up at starting point.

[11th October] Battn paraded with head of column on road C.6.d. at 0300 hours. The night was very dark and there was considerable shelling to the North while battn was marching to its assembly position. Nevertheless the assembly was carried out and the attack was commenced according to plan, with the exception that the actual start was about 5 mins late. As, however, no concerted attack with troops on our right had been arranged, and as Battn on our left did not start until a great deal later, this did not make any difference. On emerging from AVESNES, the leading Coys came under heavy artillery and m.g. fire, but advancing, they reached the houses to the west of ST AUBERT, where hand to hand fighting took place. By this time they were suffering very severe casualties from machine guns on the flanks and they were forced to withdraw slightly and take up a line from the sunken road in U.23.b to railway U.24.c. Here they held on all day under most trying circumstances, with no-one on the flanks, and being shot at by observed m.g. and artillery fire. Battn HQ was established shortly after the advance in a house W.22.d.20.00 from where an excellent view of the battle could be obtained. Visual was quickly established with left front coy. At the start, no artillery assistance was available, and very little could be done to help the two leading Coys. At one time it was proposed to try and assist with an attack from the south, but as the Guards, who were on our right … were also held up, this was not considered practicable, and never took place. It is quite certain that had this attack been launched, heavy casualties would have resulted without any gain. As soon as dusk arrived, orders were issued to Coys to take up dispositions in accordance with Appendix “C”, which was successfully accomplished. Casualties for the day were Killed:- 2 offs. 48 ORs. Wounded:- 7 offs. 126 ORs. Missing:- 3 O.R.s. Believed prisoners:- 2 O.R.s.”

For his service, Pte Towse was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal, which would have been issued off the Rifle Brigade roll some time after May 1920. Pte Towse lies buried at plot IV. A. 10., Saint Aubert British Cemetery, Saint Aubert, France. His financial effects of £13/0/6 and War Gratuity of £6/10/0 went to his mother and sole legatee, Jane.

2826 Pte J E Liles, 1/6th West Yorkshire Regiment Second Battle of Kemmel 25 April 1918 Prisoner of War

2826 Pte J Liles, West Yorkshire Regiment, prisoner of war, Second Battle of Kemmel, 25 April 1918

John Edward Liles was born on 7 March 1898. He appears to have emigrated to the United States of America with Catherine, his mother, and his siblings, living there between 1908 and circa 1910. As of the 1911 census, however, he was living in the household of greengrocer George Dracup and wife Catherine, aged 13 and described as George’s son (although it appears that he was the son of William John Liles, who as of 1915 was reported as living apart from Catherine), employed as a barber. John Liles joined-up underage, circa 20 October 1914, and served as a Private in the 2/6th and 1/6th Battalions of the West Yorkshire Regiment, initially under the regimental number 2826. An attempt to have him discharged as underage in September 1915 having not succeeded, he was retained in the army until of an age to be sent overseas – presumably some time in early 1917. In March 1917 he was renumbered as part of the general Territorial Force renumbering and given the new six-digit number 240793. Under the latter number he was captured (initially reported as missing) circa April or May 1918. He was first listed as missing in War Office Daily List No.5599 of 22 June 1918. This list gave his next of kin address as Bradford. As Liles, John Edward of the 1/6th West Yorkshire Regiment, D Company, on 7 October 1918 he was recorded as being incarcerated in Prison Camp at Friedrichsfeld, having been captured, unwounded, at Kemmel on 25 April 1918, during the Second Battle of Kemmel, part of the Battle of the Lys, the German 1918 Spring Offensive in Flanders. This record confirmed his Service Number as 240793 and gave his date of birth as 7 April 1898, with his next of kin being given as Mrs Liles of 84 Tennant Street, East Bowling, Bradford. War Office Daily List No.5777 of 21 January 1919 listed him as Released Prisoner of War from Germany, arrived in England. He was formally discharged on 31 March 1920. For his service he was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal, which he would have received some time in 1922.

When he was aged 23, John Edward Liles married Amy Cullington on 10 September 1921 at St Stephen’s Church, West Bowling, Yorkshire. The marriage register records him as the son of John William Liles. At this time John Edward (like his father) was a dyer’s labourer and living at 132 Tennant Street.

He rejoined the West Yorkshire Regiment (6th Battalion) as a territorial in 1931, presumably under the service number 4534444, serving for four years until 1935. Aged 33, at this time he was employed as a wool comber.

John joined the Post Office in October 1937. The 1939 Register shows John and Amy as living at 136 Tennant Street, Bradford and describes John as “underground telephone cable jointer, GPO, skilled man”. (The previous owner indicated that John, at the start of WW2, joined the Royal Engineers (Postal Section) and Home Guard, presumably thereby earning the associated Defence Medal: however I have not been able to verify this.) He appears to have been in the employ of the Post Office, as a Technician, in 1956. His death was registered in the Wharfedale registration district in the third quarter of 1962.

WW1 Victory Medal - Pte. J.T. Morris, Manchester Regiment wounded Salonika, Battle of Doiran

WW1 Victory Medal - Pte. J.T. Morris, Manchester Regiment

In poor condition but the naming can be read. Named to 23557 Pte. J T Morris Manch R. 

John Thomas Morris of 24 Albert Street, Rusholme, Manchester was a labourer,

supposedly aged 19 years 2 months upon enlistment, on 2nd February 1915 (however the information on his postwar Army Form Z.11 (Soldier's Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity) indicates that he was born in 1897 and therefore probably added a year onto his age when enlisting). He was recorded as 5' 6" tall with an expanded chest measurement of 35 1/2". He gave as his next of kin Mary Elizabeth Morris, his mother.

He enlisted for the duration of the war and, as 3/23557 Private J T Morris, was appointed to the Manchester Regiment, initially being sent to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion and then posted to the 11th on 23 August 1915.

Pte Morris entered the Balkan theatre with the 11th Battalion in the 11th (Northern) Division on 13 September 1915 and was therefore also entitled to the 1914-15 Star, which he received in November 1919. By this point the battalion, landing at Suvla Bay, had been in Gallipoli for just over a month. Conditions on Gallipoli were difficult as in addition to Turkish sniper and artillery fire and the constant threat of disease, weather conditions were poor, especially in the winter. On 7 December 1915 he was admitted to Sliema Hospital, Malta, with frost bite and, passing through St John's Hospital, was sent home via the Hospital Ship 'Soudan' on 28 December.

Having returned home on 5 January 1916 he was in the 4th Southern General Hospital in Plymouth for a time up to 12 April 1916, after which he was sent on nine days' furlough home. He went overseas again on 7 September 1916 to rejoin the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, travelling via Devonport to Salonika, disembarking on 22 September and joining his unit (most probably the 13th (Service) battalion in the 22nd Division) a few days later.

He was wounded on 24 April 1917 with a gun shot wound to the right shoulder whilst with the 22nd Division - presumably in connection with the 13th Manchesters' assault on Pip Ridge during the First Battle of Doiran, two miles south-west of Lake Doiran.

Pte Morris passed through no.29 General Hospital, 2 Convalescent Camp and 3 Convalescent Depot, arriving at 2 Base Depot in mid-July 1917. He rejoined his unit on 27 August 1917.

He is then shown as having been posted to France on 5 July 1918, travelling via Itea, Italy. This would most likely have been with the 13th Manchesters, who left the 22nd Division in Salonika to join the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division in France. On 13 August 1918 the 13th was absorbed by the 9th battalion, with which Pte Morris also served, although he was shown as being posted to the latter on 2 August 1918. Between 13 and 27 August 1918 he had leave from overseas, returning to France on 28 August 1918. This would have put him in line to have taken part in the Allied hundred days offensive, including the battles of the Hindenburg Line, Cambrai 1918, and the Selle.

He returned home to the United Kingdom on 20-22 February 1919 via Dunkirk and after passing through the dispersal centre at Prees Heath, was discharged to the Army Class 'Z' Reserve on 21 March 1919 after four years and forty-eight days' service. 

He received his British War Medal and Victory Medal, to complete his medal entitlement, in early November 1920.

Two Battle of the Tardenois MMs gazetted 10 December 1918 - 278681 Chalmers A&SH and 403533 Edwards RAMC

Two Battle of the Tardenois MMs gazetted 10 December 1918

7324. PTE. J.Y. CHALMERS. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - Military Medal, 278681. PTE. J. CHALMERS. 1/7. A. & S. Highrs. (Highlanders).

Pte John Young Chalmers, 1/7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 51st Highland Division. The award was announced in the 51st Division Routine Order no.1071 of Wednesday 21 August 1918 (which can be seen in the Adjutant & Quartermaster-General's War Diary for August 1918 (piece number 2849) as one of a large number of awards made "for gallantry displayed between 20th and 30th July 1918", i.e. the Battle of the Tardenois. Gazetted in London Gazette Issue 31061, page 14664, dated 10th December 1918.

816 Pte N.E. Edwards R.A.M.C, also 403533 Pte N.E. Edwards 2/W. Rid: F.A. R.A.M.C.

Pte N E Edwards RAMC, 2nd (2/1st or 2/2nd) West Riding Field Ambulance, 62nd Division, presumably one of 333 awards mentioned but not particularised in annex F ('Rewards granted during August 1918') to the AA&QMG war diary for the division for August 1918 (piece number 3072/1-3). Norman Ellis Edwards’s MM was announced in the London Gazette issue 31061, page 14666 dated 11th December 1918 and listed him from Leeds. NB his award is gazetted for the 2nd (West Riding) Field Ambulance and is interpreted by Ancestry/Forces War Records as being for the 2/2nd FA (which would accord with his six-digit TF number bloc); however my reading of his MM Index Card is that it reads against Corps "R.A.M.C. 2/1st(W Rid) Fld. Amb T.F.", indicating if correct that he was with the 2/1st when the award was recommended. On 19 July the 2/1st WR FA arrived in the village of St Imoges and on 20 July set up an MDS [Main Dressing Station] at the north end of the village. I note that in the 2/1st West Riding FA War Diary for 21 July 1918 there is a mention of "1 tent subdivision of 2/2nd West Riding Field Ambulance attached to MDS [Main Dressing Station] for duty. [Ordered there at 1pm on the 21st, seemingly by the ADMS for the 62nd Division, having been in reserve at Champillon.] 807 cases during 24 hours after opening of attack. Camp shelled." The following day's entry, 22 July, also notes "401 cases during succeeding 24 hours (noon to noon). Camp shelled & moved 200 yards north." On the 24th, after a further 302 cases arrived in the intervening day, the village was bombed. A further 341 cases arrived on this day also. I speculate that Pte Edwards may have been recommended for the Military Medal during this period of attachment, very possibly for gallantry during these periods when the MDS was under enemy attack. The tent subdivision, per 2/2nd WR FA War Diary, returned from this attached duty on 31 July. (On 25 August a bearer subdivision of the 2/2nd reported to the ADS at Courcelles for temporary duty with the 2/1st but this seems late to be relevant to this award.)

77291 PTE.R.J. WADDINGTON 30th Field Ambulance R.A.M.C. & 7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers Victory Medal

77291 PTE.R.J. WADDINGTON 30th Field Ambulance R.A.M.C. & 7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers Victory Medal

Robert James Waddington enlisted in the army at some point probably prior to November 1915. As 77291 Pte R J Waddington he first served overseas with the Royal Army Medical Corps, going overseas some time from 1 January 1916 onwards. Based on the service record of 77299 Pte Thomas Moore, RAMC, he may have joined in early November 1915, passing through no.6 Company RAMC at Cosham and going overseas some time up to August 1917. (See also 77297 Pte Albert Edward Oldfield, who joined at the same time as Pte Moore and went overseas on 12 February 1916 to France to join 2nd Cavalry Field Ambulance.) Pte Waddington served with 30th Field Ambulance in 10th (Irish) Division, possibly going overseas in time to join them in Salonika, where they remained until transferred to Egypt, in September 1917. Engagements during this time included the capture of the Karajokois and the capture of Yenikoi in October 1916. The division then fought in Palestine, most notably in the Third Battle of Gaza, 1-2 November 1917, part of the Southern Palestine Offensive.

Pte Waddington was subsequently transferred to the infantry, probably being 'combed-out' of his RAMC role as the result of a relatively high medical grading. After passing through the infantry school of instruction, he transferred corps to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers under the regimental number 88299, serving in the 7th (Merionethshire & Montgomeryshire) Bn, Royal Welch Fusiliers, a Territorial Battalion which by this time was part of the 160th Brigade, of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. 

Based on the service record of 88280 Sidney Higgs, 1/7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was also formerly of the RAMC (regimental number 39622), Pte Waddington's compulsory transfer to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers probably took place after a transfer to base depot (possibly 'B' Depot at Kantara) at the end of May 1918, then to the Infantry School of Instruction at Zeitoun outside Cairo on or about 20 June 1918, joining the 7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the field on or about 6 July 1918.This would have put Pte Waddington in line to serve with the 7th Battalion at the battle of Megiddo, 18-19 September 1918. Per Wikipedia:

"At the climactic Battle of Megiddo 53rd Division was tasked with advancing across the Samieh Basin towards Nablus, to threaten the Turks' communication centre and block the exits to the Jordan Valley (the Battle of Nablus). It attacked in moonlight late on the first day (18 September), after a 20-minute bombardment, and 7th RWF (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) had captured all its objectives on the north side of the basin by 03.00 next day. The roads were very bad, and the Royal Engineers struggled to make a path for the guns, but the advance continued, and by the end of 22 September the Turkish army was shattered, its retreat was being harried by artillery and aircraft.

The advanced troops of the division were now south-east of Nablus, but 53rd (W) Division was ordered to stand fast and did not take part in the pursuit of the defeated Turkish army. For the next few days it was employed in clearing the battlefield and repairing the Nablus road. On 26 September it moved back to Tell 'Asur, and by 12 October it had moved to Ramle, where on 27 October it began entraining for Alexandria. The Armistice of Mudros ended the fighting in Palestine on 31 October. On 20 December demobilisation instructions were received and the first parties left for home on 22 December. The Indian battalions left in early 1919 as transport became available. The 7th RWF was one of the last British units to leave, being reduced to a cadre on 23 January 1920 and officially disembodied on 12 March."

For his service Pte Waddington was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal, which he would have received some time after August 1921.

He is probably the Robert James Waddington who was born on 24 December 1883 to Thomas and Elizabeth Martha Waddington, and baptised on 24 February at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, West Derby, Liverpool. By the time of the 1911 Census this Robert was living in Toxteth Park at 46 Garmoyle Road Sefton Park Liverpool and married to Minnie. Robert was employed as an assistant schoolmaster and the couple had a young child, Irene Mildred. By the 1921 census Robert and Minnie were living at 53 Portman Road, Wavertree, Liverpool. Robert, by that time a Schoolmaster in the employ of the Liverpool Corporation Education Committee, worked at St Cleopas Church of England School, Beresford Road, Liverpool.

The Great War for Civilisation 1914-1919 Medal, awarded to 15479 PTE. E. Parker of the 17th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers (1st South East Lancashire) - an original 'bantam'.

The Great War for Civilisation 1914-1919 Medal, awarded to 15479 PTE. E. Parker of the 17th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers (1st South East Lancashire) - an original 'bantam'.

Edgar Parker was born circa 1894. He may be the same Edgar S Parker, aged 18, and employed as a Twister, who was shown in the 1911 census as boarding with Richard A Parker and wife Ann at 3 Hartley Street, Nelson. As of early 1915 he lived at 46 Regent Street, Nelson and was a twister by trade. Edgar enlisted at Colne, Lancashire on 6 January 1915, aged 20 years 200 days and (under the regimental number 17/15479) was appointed to the Lancashire Fusiliers (17th Battalion) the same day. He gave as his next of kin Richard Arthur Parker, of the same address.

Standing 5' 0" tall, he was a classic 'Bantam' by stature, although at 34" fully expanded chest, slightly off the chest measurement requirement of 34 1/2". (The 'Bantam' drive was a recruitment initiative aimed at men of good physique but shorter than the standard 5' 3" height requirement, such as miners.) He weighed 103lbs and was medically graded 'A1' upon joining.

The 17th (Service) Battalion (1st South-East Lancashire), Lancashire Fusiliers had been formed as a bantam Battalion in Bury by Lieutenant-Colonel G E Wike and a committee on 3 December 1914. On 16 March 1915 the 17th moved to Chadderton near Oldham and then to Masham, Yorkshire to join the 104th Brigade of the 35th Division. On 27 August 1915 both the 17th and its sister 18th battalion were taken over by the War Office and moved to Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. Five months later the battalion was mobilised for war and, going overseas as a unit, landed at Le Havre in January 1916. In keeping with this, on his service record Pte Parker was shown as posted overseas to the 17th Battalion on 28 January 1916.

After a period of familiarisation with western Front conditions in the sector between La Bassée and Armentieres, the 17th, as part of 104th Brigade, 35th Division, then proceeded to fight on the Somme, arriving at Aveluy Wood on 10 July 1916, later acting as carrying parties for the 89th Brigade's attack on Guillemont, 29 and 30 July 1916. During this action the parties were attached to various battalions of the attacking force and moved up with the 4th wave, suffering 40 other rank casualties in the process, of which 31 were wounded. The battalion continued to take casualties as the offensive continued; 12 men were wounded by an accidental bomb (grenade) explosion in 'Happy Valley' on 14 July, 5 men were wounded at Maricourt on 19 July, and a further 153 men were wounded whilst the battalion occupied the front line between Trones Wood and Maltz Horn Farm from 21 to 23 July and then Talus Boise the following day. The battalion remained in this sector for some time and on 24 August they attacked, in conjunction with the French, the German lines south east of Falfemont Farm, advancing 300 yards and digging in on the Falfemont Spur. Pte Parker would have been with them at this point, and then travelled with the battalion to the Arras sector at the end of the month. By November 1916 the battalion was in the line at Arras and along with others experienced a severe trench raid on the 25th of the month, battalion casualties for November (including this episode) being 12 other ranks killed, 15 wounded and 25 missing.

Early in 1917 as part of a general reorganization of the 35th Division the 17th ceased to be a bantam Battalion, the war diary for December and January 1917 (the battalion was billetted at Arras during the latter month) showing evidence of men not considered fit enough for infantry duty being selected for transfer. On 25 January 1917 Pte Parker was transferred to an Infantry Labour Company (the 17th) at Dunkirk, probably as part of this transition, joining them in the field on 29 January. He was formally transferred to the Labour Corps upon its formation on 14 May 1917 and served with the Labour Corps under the regimental number 111727 in 187th Company. This means he was on the strength of the company when, during the night of 21 July 1917 it was shelled whilst in camp, seven men being killed, and he appears to have remained with it for most of the rest of the war, apart from a couple of episodes of sickness and one period of attachment with 103 Company between 29 March and 7 April 1918, which may have been associated with the impact of the German Spring Offensive 1918. With the 187th Company he had one offence of overstaying his leave in August 1918, for which he was confined to camp for seven days. On 20 December 1918 he was posted to 708th Company and, after passing through No.2 Dispersal Unit at Prees Heath, was transferred to the Army 'Z' Reserve on demobilization on 23 March 1919. His home address upon demobilization was 23 Derby Street, Nelson, Lancashire and he was medical category 'B2' upon discharge.

His full entitlement was the British War Medal and Victory Medal, issued off the Labour Corps roll and acknowledged in August 1921. This was the subject of an inquiry to the medals office in November 1945.

He may be the Edgar Saunders Parker, also a cotton twister, born in Nelson, who is shown on the 1921 census as living with wife Grace Mary at 23 Derby St, Nelson.

S4-040199 PTE. W. BROOKER. A.S.C. Field Butchery - lied about age to enlist

S4-040199 PTE. W. BROOKER. A.S.C.

Walter Brooker was born in [Old] Basing, Hampshire, in the second quarter of 1874, possibly circa 26 May, to William, a Carman, and Caroline, and was baptised in the parish church on 26 July 1874. By the time of the 1911 census Walter was living at 8 Church Square, Basingstoke with his by-now widowed mother, Caroline, and siblings, and working as a butcher. At the time of enlistment in January 1915 he was working for John Thorneycrofts of Basingstoke. He served with the Supply branch of the Army Service Corps, also as a butcher. His next of kin upon enlistment was given as his mother, Caroline.

Having been medically examined on 2 January 1915, Walter stated his age as 35 years and 222 days (implying that he was born circa 26 May 1879, thus taking five years off his actual age). Walter enlisted for the duration of the war and joined for duty at Basingstoke on 4 January 1915, at which time he was medically graded as Class A1. He entered the France and Flanders theatre with the 19th Division Field Butchery on 16 July 1915. The function of these unit was the the supply of fresh meat to the forces in the field. He spent time with 8 Field Butchery, No.4 Lines of Communication Supply Company, and 9 Field Butchery. In November 1916 he was 'combed-out' of his lines of communication rule for infantry service, due to his high medical grade, 'for transfer to a combatant unit' and sent home to Aldershot. There he spent time with the 100th and 90th Training Reserve Battalions. He subsequently reported heart trouble caused in France in March 1917, due to his infantry training. Certainly by April 1917 he had been reclassified as medical grade B.ii.  It is not clear that he saw infantry service, and he later returned to his ASC trade, taking up his old regimental number. He subsequently served with C (Supply) Company at Aldershot. As of May 1919 his age was recorded as 48 at his last birthday. His medical examination prior to discharge confirmed the heart problem (Hypertrophy of heart) and described him as disabled, the degree of disability being under 20%.

Passing through the Fovant Dispersal Station, Pte Brooker transferred to the Army Class 'Z' Reserve on demobilization, on 18 June 1919. For his impairment he was pensioned at 5 Shillings and Sixpence weekly for one year 

Walter's postwar address was 21 Victoria Street, Basingstoke. For his service he was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. By 1921 he was living with his family (five brothers, sister and niece) at 12 Victoria Street and working as a labourer at J J Thorneycrofts, presumably the same as his old workplace. Walter appears to have died in Basingstoke in the third quarter of 1936.

11526 Lance-Corporal Charles Henry Phillips, 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, killed in action 23 July 1916, near High Wood

11526 Lance-Corporal Charles Henry Phillips, 2^nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, killed in action 23 July 1916, near High Wood

Charles Henry Phillips was born and lived in Morley, in Yorkshire. An Old Contemptible, as 11526 Pte C H Phillips he disembarked in France on 15 August 1914 with the 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers and would have served with the BEF in 1914 at the crucial early battles of Le Cateau and on the Aisne. In 1915 the battalion fought at Hill 60 in the Ypres salient and was then transferred to the Somme sector. There in July 1916 the battalion fought in an area between Morval and High Wood, and was part of the attacks on High Wood between 20 and 25 July 1916.

Pte Phillips was wounded in action in 1914 whilst serving with ‘A’ Company*, being reported as wounded on the Casualty List issued by the War Office for 22 September 1914. He was aged 19 at the time, with one year of service. He had been admitted, under the admission number 115, to 4^th Stationary Hospital on 17 September, most probably having been injured a couple of days prior, possibly when the battalion was crossing the Aisne at Missy on 14 September. He was under treatment for just under a fortnight for a gun shot wound to the right ear, being returned to duty on 30 September.

Whilst on the Somme, the 2nd Battalion, as part of the 13th Brigade of the 5th Division in XV Corps (General Watts), was engaged in the following places:

17 July : Meaulte (battle billets).

19 July : In front line between Bazentin-le-Grand and Longueval (old German second line).

20 July : Attack and taking of road leading from southern corner of High Wood to Longueval by A & D companies: 124 other rank casualties. Relieved at 3.30am 21/07 by 14^th Royal Warwicks).

21 July : Bazentin-le-Grand area again (old German second line).

22-23 July : night attack on Wood Lane, part of German switch line, A & D companies leading the assault for the battalion, which was in turn supporting the 1^st Royal West Kents. The 1^st Royal West Kents reached part of their objective, as did one platoon of ‘D’ Company but both were forced to withdraw to the former British line on the road by heavy German fire. The battalion suffered 110 other rank casualties, including 29 missing. Relieved from positions at 9pm and withdrew to bivouac in Pommiers Redoubt.

24th July : Pommiers Redoubt.

L-Cpl Phillips’ death was presumed on or after Sunday 23rd July 1916. He appears likely to have been one of the 29 missing casualties in the attack on Wood Lane on the 22nd/23rd.  A Red Cross enquiry was later made by a Mrs Rebecca Phillips, receiving a negative response. Charles was listed as "Missing" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office for 27 August 1916. L-Cpl Phillips’ remains were found at 57.c.S.4.b.3.3., and he was later buried and is now commemorated at Serre Road Cemetery n°2. Plot XXXIX. Row A. 11. His financial effects of £15 14s and 2s 6d and War Gratuity of £11 were split between his mother, Mrs Rebecca Shackleton, and his brother William Phillips and sister, Mrs Edith Brook. A claim for a pension was later made by Charles’ stepfather, William Henry Shackleton of 28 Bond Street, Hunslet, Leeds.

*The entry for him in the admissions and discharge book of the 4^th Stationary Hospital seems to suggest that he was serving with the 1^st KOSB, however this must be a mistake as the 1^st battalion was not in theatre at this point

47637 Cpl Thomas Mack, X/2 Trench Mortar Battery, Died of Wounds 27 Oct 16

47637 Cpl Thomas Mack, X/2 Trench Mortar Battery, Died of Wounds 27 Oct 16

Thomas Mack was born in Westport, County Mayo. He lived in Croydon and Tottenham, and Soldiers Died on the Great War suggests he enlisted at Holloway. He served as 47637 Cpl T Mack in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He entered the France and Flanders theatre of war on a base detail on 6 June 1915, as a Gunner, and was accordingly entitled to the 1915 Star. By late 1916 he was in the rank of Corporal, serving with X/2* [Medium] Trench Mortar Battery, 2nd Division. The medium batteries had joined the division in April 1916. By October 1916 the 2nd Division, which had been sent into battle on the Somme in July, was preparing for the Battle of the Ancre, the divisional artillery and trench Mortar batteries being particularly employed in cutting the enemy's wire in front of his defences, preparatory to an assault. On 25 October 1916 Cpl Mack was severely wounded, suffering several gun shot wounds (army term for any penetrating wound). The X/2 Divisional Trench Mortar Battery War Diary for October 1916 contains a reference to Cpl Mack: "25/10/16. No. of rds fired 22. Corp Mack wounded. Gnr Ballantyne 'shock'. Retaliation light." Corporal Mack was admitted to hospital (number 3 Casualty Clearing Station**) on 25 October 1916 under Index Number Of Admission T12469. This record also confirms that he was serving with X.2 Trench Mortar Battery at the time of admission. Cpl Mack died of wounds on 27 October 1916 whilst in the care of the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, which had come to Puchevillers along with the 44th CCS in June 1916, just prior to the opening of the Battle of the Somme. He is buried at PUCHEVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY, plot V., row E. grave 20., Somme, France, one of 1763 casualties commemorated there. As a former Croydon resident he also appears in 'Croydon and The Great War' under the Croydon Roll of Honour, whilst as an Irishman by birth he also appears on Ireland's Memorial Rolls. His financial effects, including £9 10s War Gratuity, went to his sole legatee, Bert Adkin, in 1920.

*His entry in the register of soldiers' effects has 'Y' TMB, but other records show 'X'

**TNA reference MH106/328

15103 Pte A.W.WRIGHT, 17th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool Regiment, killed in action 3 July 1916

15103 Pte A.W.WRIGHT, 17th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool Regiment, killed in action 3 July 1916

Alan William Wright was the son of WILLIAM HENRY and MARGARET ELIZABETH WRIGHT, of "REDCOT," 17, BEACH LAWN, Waterloo, LIVERPOOL. He was born on 28 October just1894 in Liverpool.

An original 'Liverpool Pal', he would have joined up by 2 September 1914 and, as 15103 Pte A.W.WRIGHT he served with the 17th Battalion of the King's (Liverpool Regiment. The 17th (1st City) was the first of the Liverpool Pals battalions to be raised by Lord Derby, being formed at Liverpool on 29 August 1914. The 17th Battalion was part of the 89th Brigade, 30th Division. He entered the France and Flanders theatre of war on 11 November 1915. Alan was aged 22 when officially recorded as killed in action on 3 July 1916. (Although it is of note that information published by the family at the time indicates thatl they understood him to have been killed on 1 July 1916.) Having successfully taken the Dublin Trench part of the defensive system, as the battalion contribution to the capture of Montauban on 1 July, on this date the battalion was in the line in Dublin Trench to the east of Montauban. At 9pm on 3 July the 27th Infantry Brigade successfully attacked the adjacent Bernafay Wood. The battalion's casualties for the day were 8 other ranks killed and 24 wounded, Alan being one of these.

A record on Lives of the First World War provides the following information, along with a photograph of Pte Wright:

"IN MEMORY OF ALAN WILLIAM WRIGHT FROM MANCHESTER BORN 28TH OCTOBER 1894 A PUPIL AT KING WILLIAM’S COLLEGE, ISLE OF MAN 1908 - 1911 KILLED IN ACTION BY A SHELL DURING THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME 3RD JULY 1916 AGED 21".

His financial effects of £6 3 10 and War Gratuity of £8 10 were sent, in 1916 and 1919 respectively, to the administrator of his estate, Dr William H Wright.

Having no known grave, Pte Wright is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 1 D 8 B and 8 C.

Image: Lord Kitchener inspecting troops in front of St George's Hall, Liverpool, on 20 March 1915.

Silver War Badge, number 407289 issued to Pte Charles William Henry Andrews, 1/6th and 1/5th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, wounded in action 1 July 1916

 Silver War Badge, number 407289 issued to Pte Charles William Henry Andrews, 1/6th and 1/5th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, wounded in action 1 July 1916

Silver War Badge, remains of old enamelling and conversion from brooch fastening to stickpin. 

 

Private Andrews served in the 1/6th and 5th Battalions, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. These were Territorial Force formations. Pte Andrews was a pre-war Territorial, having attested for the Territorial Force at Birmingham on 20 February 1914 and been given the regimental number 2199 upon appointment to the 6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. His 'apparent age' on attestation was 18 years 5 months and he stood 5' 10" tall with a 36" chest measurement and physical development described as 'good'. Upon the outbreak of war he was embodied for service with the 1/6th Battalion on 5 August 1914. He gave his address as 9 Clark Street, Ladywood, Birmingham. 

He entered the France and Flanders theatre on 22 March 1915 and was accordingly entitled to the 1914-15 Star. The 1/6th battalion was in Brigadier-General B.C. Dent’s 143rd Brigade of the 48th (south Midland) Division. Pte Andrews served with his battalion on the Somme, when on 1 July 1916 the battalion (along with the sister 1/8th) was attached to the 4th Division for the attack on the German front line, including the position known as the Heidenkopf Redoubt or Quadrilateral. In this action the battalion was a support battalion, following up behind the attack of the 1/8th Royal Warwickshires.    

The 4th, 29th, 31st, and 48th Divisions formed part of VIII Corps under Lt-General Hunter-Weston and occupied the stretch of the British line towards the northern end of the Somme fighting front. The northern end of the corps sector was roughly opposite the German fortified village of Serre, the centre being opposite Beaumont-Hamel (also heavily fortified), and the southern end being roughly opposite the village of Beaucourt. The Corps had the task of forming a defensive flank at and including Serre (the job of 31st Division at the northern end of the attacking front), whilst the 4th and 29th Divisions (in the centre and south respectively) would cross the Beaumont-Hamel valley and Beaucourt spur, take the German intermediate line (Munich trench) and then press on to their portion of the German second line, Puisieux trench,  which ran from Grandcourt to Puisieux. The 4th Division, being in the centre of the attacking front, deployed the loaned units of 143rd  (the 1/8th Royal Warwickshire leading the assault) to their left front, with units of the 11th Brigade to the centre (1st Rifle Brigade) and right (1st East Lancashire Regiment) of the divisional front. 

The assaulting battalions immediately ahead of the 1/6th Royal Warwickshire (1/8th Royal Warwickshire, and to their right, the 1st Rifle Brigade) advanced promptly at 7.30am, but were immediately met by machine gun and artillery fire. This was slightly reduced in intensity by the effect of the swell of the Redan Ridge in relation to the right company of the 1/8th Warwickshires and the left company of the 1st Rifle Brigade, and these units were able to penetrate into the Heidenkopf/Quadrilateral (a German defensive position on the Serre-Mailly road forming a salient in the German line and which had been partially blown by the German at the outset of the attack) , cross the German front line and take part of the support trench. The left company of the 1/8th was not so fortunate, however, being exposed to heavy machine-gun fire from the direction of Serre, and after overrunning the front-line trench only managed to get small parties as far as the support trench. 

At 7.40am the 1/6th Royal Warwickshires left the assembly trenches, ten minutes behind the 1/8th Royal Warwickshires. Passing over the Quadrilateral, which had been overrun by the 1/8th, it pressed on to the German front line and made touch on the right with the 1st  Rifle Brigade and 1st Somerset Light Infantry, although the left companies, again coming under heavy fire from machine guns in front of Serre, were unable to make progress. The battalion therefore assisted the 1/8th in consolidating the position. The war diary comments “...heavy casualties – about 80 before crossing our own lines- mingled with 1/8th R War R immediately on reaching German lines – worked up as far as third line – first and second wave battalions on the right had advanced no further – 31st Division on left also hung up  - certain units reaching SERRE – enemy's opposition  a well-distributed barrage and very severe cross machine gun  fire – 12th Inf Bde followed but were unable to advance further than line held by 11th Inf Bde. 

The one officer unhit (2/LT J.G. Cooper) returned with a message to Brigade H.Q. between 11 and 12 a.m. The line, which was being consolidated, was severely pressed on the flanks and forced to withdraw to the Quadrilateral from where the few remaining men were sent back to our lines about 7 p.m. All that could be collected were taken back to MAILLY at midnight.” 

In this action the battalion suffered an estimated 436 casualties, 120 killed and missing and 316 wounded, including the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel W.H. Franklin. The Heidenkopf/Quadrilateral position was largely given up before dawn the following morning in consideration of the absence of reserves to consolidate the position, given the 4th  Division's 4,700 casualties.  

Pte Andrews was shown on his service record as being wounded in action on 2 July 1916, however this is almost certainly a mistake for 1 July, as on 2 July the battalion is stated by the war diary to have been in billets at Mailly, “gradually assembling – until total of 176 reached”. Subsequently the battalion was sent to Couin. He suffered a gun shot wound (army term for any penetrating wound) to his left leg (thigh) and arm, his leg later being amputated. He was evacuated home from the France and Flanders theatre on 4/5 July 1916. 

 Record MH106/1533 from the MH106 series (probably, going by the attribution of the records immediately following and proceeding, and the wider sequence 1525-1584 within which it fits, from the County of Middlesex War Hospital at Napsbury) confirms that 20 year-old 2199 Pte W.H. Andrews of the 1/6th Royal Warwickshire Regiment was under their care for a Gunshot wound IX (1) chest, non-penetrating, from 5 July until transferred to furlough on 29 August 1916. The record confirms that at the time of admission he had accrued 2 years 5 months service, of which he had spent 1 year 3 months with the Field Force. The record also confirmed that he was a member of the Church of England. 

As Private 2199 Andrews, C W H, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, he was Listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from 21st August 1916. He was thereby entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916, the terms of this award being met by naming in this list. This list also gave his Resided Place as 'Birmingham'. He was later placed on the strength of the 2/5th Royal Warwickshire Regiment.  

Subsequently, in March 1917 he was issued the new six-digit regimental number 203476, and it was under this number that his Silver War Badge, number 407289, was issued; he received his Badge on 20 April 1918. 

He was discharged, aged 21,  on 20 March 1918 under paragraph 392 xvi of King's Regulations and Paragraph 2(b) of Army Order 265/17. The Silver War Badge roll confirms that his discharge was due to wounds. He was pensioned at 27/6 weekly for two months in the first instance. His address at the time was 9 Clark Street, Ladywood, Birmingham (the same as his address on attestation - also the address of his next of kin, his father C Andrews). He also received the King's Certificate (no.860), confirming receipt on 6 June 1918. 

 

He received his 1914-15 Star on 22 May 1921, and his British War Medal and Victory Medal some time after August 1920.