WW1 Gallantry Awards
A number of Loughborough servicemen received awards for their bravery and gallantry during the First World War. Some of these men lost their lives during the course of the war; others survived.

For those men who were given awards and lost their lives only brief details are given of their awards below. Fuller details of their lives are given on the WW1 Roll of Honour. Clicking on the arrow beside an entry for a man who died will take you to his full entry in the Roll of Honour.

For those men, however, who were given awards and survived full details are given below.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Instituted by Royal Warrant on 6th September 1886.

The DSO was originally instituted as an award for officers of the British Army and Commonwealth Forces, usually at the rank of Major. It was, however, also awarded to officers at a rank above or below Major. The DSO could be awarded for an act of meritorious or distinguished service in wartime and usually when under fire or in the presence of the enemy. It was also made available for officers at the equivalent rank in the Royal Navy and, from 1st April 1918, the Royal Air Force. Between 1914 and 1916 the DSO was also awarded to some Staff officers when they were not under fire or in contact with the enemy. This was not well received at the time by officers who were in the field. From 1st January 1917 it was restricted to recommendations for individuals who were in the presence of the enemy. The award was generally given to an officer in command, but some were awarded to junior officers below the rank of Captain. Almost 9,000 DSOs were awarded during the First World War. On 23rd August 1916 a Warrant enabled a recipient to be awarded a Bar for an additional award of the DSO.

The medal was issued without the name of the recipient being engraved on it, but some medals do bear the name of a recipient engraved on the reverse of the suspension bar. The recipient of a DSO is known as a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order and is entitled to use the letters DSO after his or her name.

 

 


Major Arthur Henry Davis DSO

 

Army Service Corps.                                                                                    
(Special mention.) The London Gazette. Supplement 19664. 13 July 1916. p. 6951

(Special mention.) The London Gazette. Supplement 30101. 29 May 1917. p. 5316.

 

In the list of military honours for the First World War appears the name of Major Arthur Henry Davis, awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
Citation

'Mentioned for distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of General Sir Charles Monro's Command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.'.

Arthur Henry Davis was born in Loughborough in 1886 and baptised at St. Mary's Church, Banbury, Oxfordshire, on 11th July 1886. He was the elder son of Richard Thomas Henry Davis and his wife Mary Amy (née Chidsey) who were married at St. Mary's Church, Banbury, on 23rd August 1884. Arthur had one brother Thomas.

In 1891 the Davis family lived at 16 Southfield Road, Loughborough, but by 1901 had moved to 60 Leopold Street and by 1911 to Lyndene, 117 Ashby Road. Arthur's father, who was initially a clerk, had progressed to being the managing director of a timber and slate merchants.

Arthur was educated at Loughborough Grammar School and in 1911 was a traveller for his father's company. In 1912, however, his mother died and Arthur went to London University to study law.

Arthur joined the Army in 1914 and was given a commission in the Army Service Corps. He was sent to Gallipoli on 1st July 1915 and gained the DSO for his services in connection with the evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula. He was concerned in the destruction of stores at Suvla Bay and was one of the last four men to leave the shore. In 1916 he was promoted to Temporary Major and was later confirmed in the rank of Major. He subsequently served in Egypt and France.

After the war Arthur returned to his law studies and was called to the Bar in 1920. He practiced in London and on the Midland Circuit. He was fond of fishing and for some years was an active member of the Loughborough Boat Club. In London he lived at 8 North Villas, Camden Square, NW1, and later at 4 Temple Gardens, London NW11. He died after a short illness on 6th September 1931 at the Bevan Nursing Home, Sandgate, Kent. His brother, Thomas, who also served as an Officer in the war, subsequently became a farmer at nearby Hythe, Kent.

 

Colonel William Shirley Northcote Toller DSO MiD

 

1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment

Also 1/7th (Robin Hood) Bn, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment).                                                                                     

(DSO) The London Gazette. Supplement 29438.
11 January 1916. p. 574.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 29422.
1 January 1916. p. 38
.

 

William Shirley Northcote Toller was born on 10th May 1878 in Knighton, Leicestershire. He was the son of William Northcote Toller and his first wife Emily (née Harris) who were married on 17th June 1874 at the Chapelry of St. Mary Magdalene, Knighton. William Junior, who was known to his family as 'Shirley' had two brothers Richard and Thomas and three sisters Gertrude, Kathleen and Ethel but Ethel died in infancy and Kathleen died, aged 13 in 1887.

Shirley's father, as well as being a Justice of the Peace, was co-founder, with Edwin Allen Lankester, of the firm Toller & Lankester (Knitwear) Ltd. in Leicester in 1886. In their early years Toller & Lankester mainly produced men's and boy's jerseys, socks and fully-fashioned lambswool shirts and pants. Additional machinery, bought in 1908, increased the product range to include fleecy shirts and pants. Progress was steady but profits accelerated towards the end of the First World War. In common with most of the Leicester trade, and British industry in general, the firm suffered enormous losses in the recession of 1920 which nearly closed them down. The firm also suffered two disastrous fires in 1919 and 1924 but a new modern factory was set up in Grace Road. During the Second World War the factory was taken over by the Admiralty, but was later re-established as a specialist children's knitwear manufacturer for Marks and Spencer and Mothercare. Shirley and his brother Richard both worked for the company. Shirley's brother Thomas initially worked for the company but later became a solicitor.

In 1881 the Toller family lived at Howard Villa, Victoria Road, Leicester, but by 1891 had moved to Central Avenue, Knighton. In 1901 they were living at Petherton, 52 Knighton Drive, Leicester.

On 17th June 1903 Shirley married Beatrice Ella Gee at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Knighton, Leicester. After their marriage they lived at at Stafford Lodge, Quorn, and later at Glebe House, Forest Road, Loughborough, then at Quorn Court, High Street, Quorn, and finally at 26 High Street, Barrow on Soar. Their son, Charles Henry Northcote Toller, was born in 1905.

Shirley's mother died in 1905 and on 2nd May 1907 his father was remarried to Florence Miall Williams at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Knighton.

From 1899 onwards Shirley was a member of the Leicestershire Golf Club. Between 1906 and 1908 he was President of the Loughborough Shooting Club and belonged to the Leicestershire Rifle Association. He also played cricket for Knighton, for Leicestershire County Cricket Club and later for Quorn Cricket Club.

Shirley had a distinguished military career. He joined the 1st Leicester Battalion of Volunteers in April 1900 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was quickly promoted to Lieutenant in August 1900, and to Captain, with responsibility for instruction in musketry, in 1901. In 1905 he succeeded Major Griggs as Captain with the Loughborough Company of Volunteers. In 1908 the Volunteers became part of the Territorial Army and in 1913 he was promoted to Major in the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment.

The 1/5th Battalion was mobilised in August 1914 and assembled on 13th August at Duffield. After a training period in Luton, Bishop's Stortford, Ware and Sawbridgeworth the battalion entrained at Harlow for Southampton on 25th February 1915. The battalion sailed for France on the SS Duchess of Argyll and the SS Atalanta on the following day in very rough seas.

After arriving in Le Havre on 28th February they travelled by train via Rouen, Abbeville and St. Omer to Arneke where they detrained for Hardifort. Between 5th and 9th March the battalion was in the trenches near Armentières. On 10th and 11th March the battalion, which had moved to Strazeele, was in training. The battalion then proceeded to Sailly-sur-la-Lys and was held in reserve for, but did not take part in, the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10th-13th March 1915). Training continued at Doulieu and Bailleul until 3rd April.

On 4th April the battalion went into the trenches near Wulverghem where they were subjected to shelling and continual sniping by the enemy. Relieved on 9th April they proceeded to Dranoutre. They returned to the trenches near Hill 60 on 13th April, and then moved on to Zillebeke, followed by a tour in the area of Mount Kemmel.

From June to September 1915 the battalion remained in the area of Zillebeeke and Ouderdom, before moving to Hesdigneul in October, La Couture in November and Merville and Thienne in December. From June to November 1915 Major Toller was appointed a Temporary Lieutenant Colonel.

While in the trenches at Vermelles in October, during the final stages of the Battle of Loos, temporary Lt. Colonel Toller was knocked down by shells and suffered concussion. When he recovered he was briefly sent to command the 1/4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and then to the 1/5th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment until 10th November. On his return to the 1/5th Leicesters he reverted to the rank of Major and was involved in trench tours between Festubert and Neuve Chapelle until the end of the year.

January 1916 was taken up with a potential move of the 1/5th Leicesters to Egypt which was aborted at Marseilles, the battalion being returned to Candas, and the area of Vimy Ridge. In mid-February 1916 the 1/5th Battalion took over the line north of the River Ancre opposite Beaumont-Hamel in France. On 29th February the battalion moved to the area of Doullens where the men worked on improving the trenches despite being subjected to a considerable bombardment from the enemy with mines and craters being blown.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge, Pas de Calais, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers and then to billets in Luchaux for bayonet training. This was followed by a period at Souastre digging cable trenches, and constructing bomb stores and gun pits in preparation for a 'big push'.

In February 1916 Major Toller had been awarded the DSO, which he received from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 20th May 1916.

On 4th June 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were moved up to trenches near Gommecourt. This was followed by further training at Warlincourt. While at Warlincourt Major Toller received orders to command a battalion of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. He returned to the 1/5th Leicesters just after the Battle of Gommecourt on 1st July 1916 but was almost immediately, on 4th July, transferred to command the 1/7th (Robin Hood) Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). He joined the Robin Hoods at Bienvillers and this appointment proved to be permanent. Major Toller, who became a Lieutenant Colonel, was with the Robin Hoods for the next two years.

The Robin Hoods had suffered numerous casualties at Gommecourt and Lt. Colonel Toller's first job was to find out what had happened to his predecessors in the battalion.

The battalion was in reserve at Saulty, Bellacourt and Bailleulval until the end of July when the men returned to the trenches at Bretencourt. Further trench tours at Bretencourt took place, with breaks at Bailleulval and Bellacourt, until the end of October. From 3rd until 22nd November there was training at Conteville and Noyelle before the battalion was sent to clean up the village of Warluzel. In December the battalion was back on trench tours at Fonquevillers where the enemy was very active before a Christmas break was taken at Souastre.

From January to mid-March 1917 the battalion remained on trench tours at Fonquevillers before being sent to Nedonchelle and then to billets at Fosse Calonne, a mining village west of Lens, for road work. At the end of April they went into the front line in the Lievin sector and May was spent in the support line in the Loos St. Pierre sector, trench digging. In June 1917 the battalion was in the front and support lines at Lievin, Bully-Grenay, and at Loos St. Pierre where they incurred 45 casualties from enemy gas bombs. On the night of the 29th/30th June as the battalion moved forward in a surprise attack on the enemy in the Lievin Sector

In June 1917 the battalion was in the front and support lines at Lievin, Bully-Grenay, and at Loos St. Pierre where they incurred 45 casualties from enemy gas bombs. On the night of the 29th/30th June the battalion moved forward in a surprise attack on the enemy in the Lievin Sector and sustained about 40 casualties.

The battalion spent most of July at Chelers, east of St. Pol, resting, in training and undergoing inspections before moving into Brigade support at Philosophe, near Vermelles, on 24th July. At the beginning of August they were draining trenches amid enemy shelling in the St. Elie sector. Back in Brigade support the battalion provided working and carrying parties and practised tactics for a raid. After another trench tour at St. Elie the battalion marched to Drouvin and then Vaudricourt. The rest of the month was spent in training at Hesdigneuil and Fouquières.

The battalion returned to the front line trenches in the Cambrin sub-section at the beginning of September. Here the men experienced three days of very heavy enemy bombardment. Relieved on 7th September the battalion moved into Brigade support at Annequin. Back in the Cambrin trenches on 13th September they were visited by a correspondent of the Nottingham Guardian.

Following a move to Mazingarbe on 23rd September they underwent further training including wiring practice, played recreational football and attended a Divisional concert-party by The Whizz-Bangs in the hall of Mazingarbe brewery.

On 28th September the battalion went into the trenches in the Hill 70 sector, not far from Lens. On the night of the 4th/5th October while the battalion was being relieved the enemy attempted a raid. On 7th Lt. Colonel Toller went on leave to England. He resumed command of the battalion on 19th October when the battalion was in Brigade reserve at Mazingarbe. Between 22nd October and 9th November the battalion completed two trench tours in Brigade support at Hill 70, providing working parties and on salvage work.

Training took place between 10th and 14th November and the remainder of November was spent in close support at Philosophe. During December the battalion completed two trench tours in the St. Elie sector and six days training at Verquin.

On 1st January 1918 the battalion was in Brigade support at Philosophe. After two further trench tours in the St. Elie sector they moved via Burbure, to Gouy-en-Ternois where the battalion was amalgamated with the 2/7th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. The battalion diary for the first half of February has now faded into illegibility but during the second half of the month the battalion was in the trenches at Bullecourt.

In early March the battalion was based at Mory l'Abbaye Camp to provide working parties and on 10th March they went into the trenches in the Noreuil sector. On 21st March the enemy opened their Spring Offensive and advanced. On this day Lt. Colonel Toller went missing. He had been taken a Prisoner of War by the Germans and was sent to the Mainzer Zitadelle (Mainz) (Oflag XII-B).

Not long after the Armistice was declared Lt. Colonel Toller returned to England. Between 1921 and 1926 he was Lt. Colonel of the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and from 1936 to 1947 Honorary Colonel of the 1/5th Battalion.

In 1932 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire and in 1937 became Chairman of the Quorn British Legion. In 1939 he was elected People's Warden at Quorn Parish Church and in 1947 appointed Chairman of the Leicester Territorial Association. In 1950 he was made Chairman of the Leicester County Bench, on which he had served since 1937.

He died, aged 97, on 17th April 1976 at his son's home in Datchet near Windsor. His funeral was held on 26th April at Quorn and he is buried with his wife in the churchyard of St. Bartholomew's Church, Quorn, Grave A128. A church room was named the Toller Room in his honour.

Lt. Colonel Toller (seated, fourth from left) when a POW at the Mainzer Zitadelle, May 1918

 

 

 

 


 

Military Cross (MC)

  

Instituted by Royal Warrant on 28th December 1914.

The Military Cross was a decoration for gallantry by individuals in the British Army, the Indian Army or the Colonial Forces during active operations in the presence of the enemy. Commissioned officers with the rank of Captain or below or Warrant Officer were eligible for the award. From June 1917 officers of the rank of captain but who had a temporary rank of major could receive the award. Since 1st August 1918, it has, like the DSO, been awarded for 'services in action' only. Since 1993 it has been possible to give this award to eligible members of the British Armed Forces of any rank.

From August 1916 an individual could receive one or more Bars to the Military Cross. Recipients of the medal are entitled to use the letters MC after their name.

 

 


Captain  Arnold Montague Barrowcliff MC

 

5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The Edinburgh Gazette. Issue 12992.
26 September 1916. p. 1758.

 

Arnold Montague Barrowcliff was born in Loughborough on 12th August 1891 and baptised at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, on 14th October 1891. He was the only child of George Harry Barrowcliff and his wife Jessie (née Dexter) who were married in Edmonton, Middlesex, in the summer of 1890. When Arnold was born his parents lived at 3 Cumberland Road, Loughborough. They subsequently moved to Ashby Road and then to Westbridge, Forest Road.

Arnold's father was an architect and surveyor and a partner in the firm of Barrowcliff and Allcock of Loughborough. They designed a number of well-known buildings in the town, including the Granby Street Public Library (1903-5), Emmanuel Church chancel and vestries (1909),St. Peter's Church (1910-12) and the Congregationalist Church, (1907-8).

Arnold was educated at Loughborough Grammar School and Malvern College before going to University College, London to read for a BA in architecture. While at university he joined the Officers Training Corps and progressed to the position of Cadet Sergeant. After he gained his degree he began practising as an architect with Messrs. Everard, Son and Pick of Leicester. He also joined the 1/5th Territorial Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant on 10th January 1914.

When war broke out and the 1/5th Leicesters began training Arnold was at first left in charge of the Leicestershire Depot but was then transferred to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion and then to the 1/4th Battalion. He had charge of a company and was also musketry officer, having passed the course at Strensall Barracks, Yorkshire, with distinction. In July 1915 Arnold was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

On 20th October 1915 Arnold was sent with other reinforcement officers to France and he rejoined the 1/5th Leicesters on 25th October at Hesdigneul-lès-Béthune as part of C Company. On 27th October the battalion moved to Drouvin for tactical training and grenade throwing practice. Training continued at Verquin and at Calonne-sur-la-Lys until 11th November when the battalion went into the trenches at La Couture. After a couple of trench tours the battalion moved to Merville on 4th December, and then to Thienne on 19th December, for instruction and training.

January 1916 was taken up with a potential move of Arnold's battalion to Egypt which was aborted at Marseilles, the battalion being returned to Yaucourt, Candas, Bourneville, and Doullens for training.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge, Pas de Calais, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest in Camblain l'Abbé, Talus des Zouaves, and Doffine. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers. On 9th May Arnold was attached to a tunnelling company of the Royal Engineers as he had a tunnelling qualification and also a certificate for life saving in mining.

Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry. When the enemy exploded a mine, he at once collected six infantrymen, went over the parapet in broad daylight, and worked at consolidating the crater till he was wounded in three places and forced to withdraw'.
On 10th August, during the Somme Offensive, Arnold was wounded in several places, including his neck. For his bravery he was awarded the Military Cross.

Arnold's superior officer wrote to Arnold's father as follows: 'He was working in my section the Huns blew up a mine in front of our trenches in the early morning. Your son went up to see what damage had been done to our saps, and found the infantry in the trenches opposite the mine. He promptly took charge and called for volunteers, and went over the parapet with some men to dig a trench in broad daylight up to the crater made by the mine, and in trying to do this got hit. It was not really his work at all, but he knew it was correct, and did it'.

Arnold was taken to a field hospital before being brought back to England on a hospital ship. He was admitted to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital, Millbank, London, on 15th August and stayed there until 8th September. After a period of convalescence, and now promoted to the rank of Captain, he returned briefly to the 1/5th Leicesters in France before again being reattached to the Royal Engineers.

Arnold survived the war, returned to practising architecture and joined his father's business at Town Hall Chambers, Loughborough. On 24th August 1921 he married Margaret Grace Dewar at Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough. The marriage was quietly solemnised as the bride's father, the Reverend David Dewar of Holy Trinity Church, had died two weeks before the wedding. The couple were married by the bride's uncle, the Rev. H. Pension, Rector of Hastings, and the bride was given away by the Vicar of Emmanuel Church, Loughborough.

Arnold and Margaret went to live at 20 Burton Street, Loughborough. In 1924, the year in which his father died, Arnold began designing St. Mary's Catholic Church building in Loughborough. During the Second World War Arnold and his wife both became air raid wardens. In later life they lived at 78 Forest Road. Arnold died in 1974 and his wife in 1982.

 

Leicestershire Regiment Museum Collection.

 

Major Herbert Luis Beardsley MC

 

8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. New Year Honours List 1917

 

Herbert Luis Beardsley was born on 17th March 1878 at New Quorn House, Quorn, and baptised on 20th April 1878 at St. Bartholomew's Church, Quorn. He was the son of William Frederick Beardsley and his wife Roza (née Luis Fernandes) who were married on 18th June 1874 at All Saints Church, Wakefield, Yorkshire. Herbert had three brothers William, Godfrey (known as 'Goff') and Arthur Lionel (known as 'Lionel') and three sisters Roza, Florence and Mabel. Florence, however, died aged 21 in 1902 and Goff died, aged 32, in 1912.

Herbert's father was a solicitor and a partner in the law firm of Woolley, Beardsleys and Bosworth of Rectory Place, Loughborough. In 1881 the family lived at Shelthorpe House, Leicester Road, Loughborough, but by 1891 had moved to The Grove, Ashby Road.

Herbert was educated at Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire. After leaving school he eventually moved to London and became a stockbroker with an office at 26 Austin Friars. One of his interests was football and between 1899 and 1905 he played for the Fosse (Leicester City Football Club) and then, with his brother Goff, for Reigate Priory Football Club, becoming Captain of the latter. In 1907 Herbert became a member of the London Stock Exchange and on 15th November 1909 he was initiated into the St. Peter, Westminster, Lodge of Freemasons.

Herbert enlisted when war broke out and was appointed a Temporary Lieutenant with the 8th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment on 12th October 1914. He was sent to France in June 1915, ahead of the 8th Battalion which arrived at the end of July.

Initially his battalion concentrated near Tilques. On 5th September the battalion moved to the Merris Vieux-Berquin area, where trench familiarisation began under the tutelage of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. Nine days later they moved to the front line sector at Bois Grenier, south of Armentières.

The 8th Battalion then moved via Watten, Houlie, St. Omer, Eecke and Dranoutre to Wulverghem and Berles-au-Bois, a short distance from the front line. In the months that followed the 8th Battalion did tours in the trenches, alternating with the 6th Leicesters who relieved them. They were involved in operations in Bailleul, Le Bizet, Armentières, Mondicourt, Beauval and Berles-au-Bois.

In April 1916 the 8th Leicesters moved to the Doullens area for six weeks cleaning up, resting and training. In mid-May they returned once more to the trenches in the Bienvillers-Bailleulmont sector, but nearer Gommecourt. In June there was a series of nightly excursions into No-Man's Land with patrols attempting to gather information on the enemy's dispositions. On other occasions there were working parties out repairing the British barbed wire entanglements. The situation became increasingly hazardous as the month wore on when the Germans began to use a new and more accurate type of trench mortar.

The 8th Battalion did not participate in the first days of the Somme Offensive but was held in reserve. On 6th July the battalion left billets at Humbercamps and marched to Talmas, continuing on the following day to billets in Soues. On 10th July the battalion marched to Ailly-sur-Somme, entrained for Méricourt and travelled from there by lorry to bivouacs in Méaulte. Between 10th and 13th July the battalion was in the trenches near Fricourt and subjected to fairly continuous enemy fire.

On the 14th July the battalion was in action at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. Herbert, now a Captain, was the senior surviving officer in this battle and on 16th July he was promoted to the rank of Temporary Major and recommended for an award. After the battle the battalion withdrew to Ribemont and then to Méricourt, and having entrained for Saleux, marched to Soues. From Soues the battalion moved to Longeau, Gouy-en-Ternois, Lattre St. Quentin and then to Arras where they went into the trenches on 29th July. Casualty figures for the battalion in July had been high: 17 officers and 415 other ranks had been killed, wounded or were missing.

Herbert was now second in charge of the 8th Battalion. The battalion went into Divisional Reserve at Agnez-les-Ouisans on 8th August but went back into the trenches at Arras on 18th August where they were on the receiving end of trench mortar bombs and heavy shells until 2nd September. On being relieved the battalion marched to rest billets at Lignereuil. On 13th September they marched to Frevent and entrained for Dernancourt. On 15th they reached a point between Fricourt and Méaulte before proceeding to Trônes Wood on 16th.

From 17th-23rd September the battalion was in reserve and supporting the troops in the front line by providing carrying parties. In the evening of 24th September the battalion marched up to take their position ready for an attack but before they reached this point the men were heavily shelled by the enemy. Just after midday on 25th September the 8th Leicesters launched a successful attack in waves on the right of Flers and then pressed on to Gueudecourt. Considerable losses, however, were suffered in this action. The battalion then took part in the Battle of Morval from 25th-28th September.

After Morval the battalion withdrew to Dernancourt, entrained for Longpré and marched to Pont Remy before transferring to the Hohenzollern Reserve, support and frontline trenches. On 26th October Herbert was promoted from Temporary Major to Acting Lieutenant Colonel whilst commanding the battalion.

The battalion remained in the Hohenzollern sector, with breaks at Mazingarbe and Vermelles until 15th December when they marched to billets in the candle factory at Béthune. In mid-October Herbert was wounded but he recovered and returned to the front.

From Béthune the battalion moved to Auchel where they remained until 26th January 1917 training. On 28th December the troops were entertained by a Lena Ashwell concert party. From Auchel the men moved to Winnezeele to continue training in tactical manoeuvres before returning to Béthune and the front line trenches at Sailly Labourse.

In the New Year Honours List Herbert was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in 1916 at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge.

In April 1917 the battalion moved from Sailly Labourse to Hamelincourt and occupied the Outpost Line on the Hénin-Croisilles road until 13th April, and then transferred to Bailleulmont for training before going into support at St. Leger. On 7th April Herbert relinquished the Acting Rank of Lieutenant Colonel on ceasing to command the battalion.

On 3rd May the battalion took part in an attack on the village of Fontaine-lès-Croisilles where casualties were high. After the attack the battalion bivouacked at St. Leger before going back into the line on 9th May. On 11th May the battalion marched to Berles-au-Bois for musketry training and practice in tactical schemes, brigade sports and inspections which lasted until the end of May.

At some point in May Herbert was wounded in the leg. He was brought back to England and admitted to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank, London. He was discharged from there to Lady Mary Meynell's Hospital for Officers, 8 Lennox Gardens, Knightsbridge, London, on 14th June. Whether he returned to France after he recovered is unconfirmed, but he is recorded in The London Gazette of 4th August 1917 as being Temporary Major attending the Leicestershire Regiment from 21st July 1917.

Herbert resigned his commission on 29th July 1919 and returned to stockbroking. He died at Moulsford Manor Hotel, Berkshire, aged 64, on 2nd November 1941.

Herbert's brother Lionel served with the Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire) Regiment and also survived the war.

Lieutenant Harry Bull MC

 

Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Armoured Car Section, attd. 1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously Royal Garrison Artillery.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30287. 14 September 1917. p. 9564.  

 

Harry Bull was born on 12th February 1887 in Gravesend, Kent. He was the son of Solomon Montague Bull and his wife Mary (née Weir) who were married at St. Leonard's Church, Hythe, Kent, on 2nd July 1879. Harry had two brothers George and Solomon Junior, and two sisters Ellen and Louise, but his brother George died, aged 31, in late 1910 or early 1911. Harry's father began his working life as a clerk but then became a railway shunter and later a railway carman. In 1891 the Bull family lived at 135 Wellington Street, Milton, Gravesend, but later moved to 2 Havelock Road, Gravesend.

In 1901 Harry, aged 14, was a coachsmith's apprentice but between 1905 and 1911 he enlisted with the Army. In 1911 he appears as Bombardier 21412 with the Royal Garrison Artillery and stationed in Ceylon, India, or Burma. By March 1916 he had been promoted to Sergeant and was stationed in Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar) with No. 75 Company, a fortress defence unit. On 2nd March 1916 he was initiated into the Lodge Power Palmer, Rangoon, of the Freemasons. After achieving the rank of Company Quarter-Master Sergeant Harry returned to England to train for a commission.

In November 1916 Harry was stationed at Cooden Camp, Sussex, at the time a training camp called No. 1 Reinforcing Depot Royal Siege Artillery. On 11th November 1916 he married Isabella May Wray at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough.

On 14th May 1917 Harry was granted his commission and appointed a 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Garrison Artillery. He joined 253rd Siege Battery, which had been sent to France in January 1917, in the field.

Siege batteries were equipped with heavy howitzers, sending large calibre high explosive shells in high trajectory, plunging fire. The usual armaments were 6 inch, 8 inch and 9.2 inch howitzers, although some had huge railway- or road-mounted 12 inch howitzers. As British artillery tactics developed, the siege batteries were most often employed in destroying or neutralising the enemy artillery, as well as putting destructive fire down on strongpoints, dumps, store, roads and railways behind enemy lines.

When Harry joined 253rd Siege Battery it was with the 52nd Heavy Artillery Group on the Ypres Salient. Between 4th July and 22nd December 1917 the 253rd Siege Battery moved to the 42nd, 57th, 30th and finally to the 22nd Heavy Artillery Group.
Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under heavy and continuous shelling of his battery position. He led a party to the rescue of some gunners who had been buried in a dug-out, and brought them to a place of safety, displaying fearless initiative and energy under heavy fire'.

Whether Harry was involved in the Battle of Messines from 7th-14th June is unknown but he was certainly involved in the Passchendaele Offensive. For his bravery on 16th August 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross and later, with his wife, attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace.

By the end of November 1917 Harry had also earned a Bar to his Military Cross. Now promoted to the rank of Lieutenant he was posted to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Armoured Car Section attending the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment.

In the early part of January 1918 the 1st Leicesters were at Courcelles but on 18th January went into the trenches on the Moeuvres front. Rest periods were taken at Luck and Lindop Camps near Fremicourt. On February 19th and 20th the battalion moved to the Lagnicourt area, where, when out of the line, they provided large working parties for work on the defences.

There were now strong rumours that the enemy was preparing a large offensive and great efforts were made to obtain information through patrols and raids. On 15th March the front line company of the battalion managed to capture a propaganda balloon laden with ten copies of the Gazette des Ardennes, a paper published in French by the Germans for distribution among the inhabitants of occupied territory. On 17th March the battalion had gone back into Brigade Reserve.

On 21st March 1918 the enemy launched their Spring Offensive. When the order to 'Stand To' in battle positions early on 21st March came through to the 1st Leicesters some of the men could not immediately be reached as they were detached on work elsewhere. The battalion nevertheless put up a determined defence. By the evening of 21st March, however, C Company had only 1 Officer and 37 Other Ranks (one of whom was Billy) left. On 22nd March the enemy put down a very heavy barrage and increased pressure all along the line. When the Germans advanced rapidly between the Lagnicourt to Maricourt Wood road and Vaulx Wood both C and D Companies of the battalion were practically destroyed. The remnants of the battalion were compelled to withdraw and took shelter in a trench until they were relieved the following day and proceeded to Berkeley Camp, Bihucourt.

On 24th March the battalion marched to Pusieux-au-Mont and entrained for Doullens where they bivouacked at the Citadel. Then, having entrained for Proven they marched to Winnezeele and underwent four days' training. On 2nd April they entrained at Godewaersvelde for Ypres Asylum station and marched to Belgian Chateau Camp. Between 3rd and 10th April they were in the front line of the Reutel sector improving the trenches. After three days' rest at Belgian Battery Corner Camp they moved firstly to the front line at Dranoutre and then to the nearby support line. On 16th they moved again to the western slope of Mount Kemmel. On 17th and 18th April C Coy was badly cut up by enemy shellfire and the whole battalion was heavily bombarded. An enemy attack was, nevertheless, repulsed. The battalion then rested at Vancouver Camp, Vlamertinghe. On 28th and 29th April the enemy again attacked but were heavily defeated.

In early May the battalion was in Divisional reserve and worked on the Switch line before moving into Brigade support at Belgian Chateau from where they provided carrying parties for the front line. On 18th May the battalion went into the front line at Chateau Segard, near Vormezeele. Just after the battalion had moved into support on 26th the enemy began a heavy bombardment of gas shells.

On 1st June the enemy opened another heavy bombardment of the Chateau Segard sector, followed by gas shelling on 2nd and sneezing gas shelling on 3rd. The battalion was relieved on 6th June amid another enemy gas attack and moved to Dirty Bucket Camp, north-west of Vlamertinghe. The battalion remained in this camp until 13th June and provided working parties.

On 13th June 120 men fell sick with influenza. On 14th June 60 men were sent to hospital and the rest of the battalion moved to School Camp where training took place until 19th June. On 20th June the battalion left camp for Proven, entrained for St. Omer and marched to camp at Cormette. Here they had range practice and field firing practice until 24th June. On 25th June they entrained at St. Omer for Mendighem and proceeded to Rainsford Camp, Watou. Here and then at another camp in the Hagebaert area of Poperinghe training continued until 5th July.

During the remainder of July the battalion completed two trench tours in the Dickebusch sector and one period in Brigade reserve on wiring work. In addition, between 22nd and 24th they were in action on the Vyverbeek line. On 25th July they withdrew to positions in the right sector of Westoutre and worked at night on cable burying.

From 3rd August the battalion was in support in the Dickebusch Lake sector, and from 6th-16th August held the front line. After being relieved they moved to Brigade reserve in the Dickebusch sector and were employed in working parties until 22nd August. On 23rd August the battalion entrained at Wellington Junction near Ouderdom, travelled by light railway to Winnezeele, changed trains for St. Momelin, and marched from there to Tilques. Training began on 26th and included practice in marshalling and escorting prisoners. On 29th August the battalion marched to Mentque for sports.

From Mentque on 1st September the battalion entrained at St. Omer for Corbie and marched to Franvillers. From 3rd-10th September there was training in attack technique and open warfare. On 11th they moved to Daours and three days later to Monchy-Lagache by bus.

Preparations were now made for an attack. On 17th September the battalion moved to the concentration area in Jean Devaux Wood where they were shelled twice and then through heavy rain, dense mist and shelling to Holnon Wood. The attack near Holnon began on 19th September and continued in stages until 24th September. After the attack the battalion went into Brigade reserve at Holnon before proceeding firstly to the Fresnoy sector and then to the Bouvincourt-Vraignes area. By the end of the month the village of Fayet had been mostly secured.

On 4th October the battalion proceeded by bus and march to Magny-la-Fosse and on 9th and 10th October took part in a further advance. Pockets of enemy resistance were dealt with on 20th October before the battalion went into billets at St. Souplet. The battalion was in Bohain when the Armistice was declared and afterwards marxhed to the Rhine. Demobilisation began at Wesseling on December 28th 1918.

After the war Harry became an insurance agent and in 1939 he was living with his wife at 10 Brewing House, Elms Grove, Loughborough. He later lived at 7 Sharpley Road. He died in December 1966 and was buried at All Saints' Church, Thorpe Acre.
 

Lieutenant  Frederick Burt  MC

 

Warwickshire Yeomanry, attd. 20th Hussars.

Previously served as 2094 Leicestershire Yeomanry.

The London Gazette.Supplement 31043. 29 November 1918. p.14231.
. 

 

 

Frederick Burt, known as 'Fred', was born in 1892 in Fonthill Street, Fonthill Gifford, West Tisbury, Wiltshire. He was the youngest child of Frank Burt and his wife Annie (née Godwin) who were married on 28th August 1875 at Holy Trinity Church, Fonthill Gifford, Wiltshire. Fred's father was a general labourer and then a labouring gardener. Fred had four brothers Arthur, Henry, William and George and three sisters Hannah (known as 'Nancy'), Kate and Florence (known as 'Flora').

In June 1893, when Fred was seven months old, his father fell down the stairs and paralysed his spine. His father died six months later. After his mother also died of tuberculosis in 1896 Fred and his two youngest siblings George and Flora were sent to the Müller Orphanage, Ashley Down, Bristol. When he left the Müller Orphanage Fred was taken on as an apprentice by Albert Greenman, a saddler and harness maker, of Littleton Drew, near Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Between 1911 and 1914 Fred moved to Loughborough to work for Joseph Sanders Potter, a saddler and harness maker. He joined Miss Cayless' Bible class at Emmanuel Church and also enlisted with the Leicestershire Yeomanry as Trooper 2094.

When war broke out the 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry was mobilised on 5th August 1914 and billeted in the village of Palgrave, Suffolk, until 1st November 1914. On 2nd November they entrained at Diss with the horses and travelled to Southampton Docks. They sailed for France, arriving at Le Havre the following day, and proceeded to No. 2 Rest Camp. On 4th November they entrained for St. Omer and marched to Esquerdes where they remained for four days to carry out bayonet and entrenching exercises.

On 11th November they marched to Eecke to join the 3rd Cavalry Division and on the following day proceeded via Poperinghe to Bellewaarde Farm on the Hooge Road east of Ypres. Here they joined the 7th Cavalry Brigade and were sent to the support and reserve trenches. On 16th they moved to billets in Ypres where they were heavily shelled. From 17th - 21st November A and C Squadrons were in the advance, support and reserve trenches east of Zillebeeke and B Squadron was in dugouts near the Menin-Ypres road. From 22nd November to 4th December they were at St. Sylvestre near Caestre refitting and exercising while being on duty in General reserve.

On 3rd December they paraded with the 7th Cavalry Brigade for an inspection by His Majesty the King. From 7th -17th December they were based at Oxlaere and then Berthen for drill and entrenching practice while again being in General reserve. On 18th December they moved to an area south of Hondeghem and the Caestre road. Here classes for reserve stretcher bearers and machine gunners took place. On 22nd December they moved to La Brearde where they remained until 2nd February 1915 for training in an advanced guard scheme, hand grenade and entrenching instruction, route marches and inspections.

On 3rd February they were transported by bus to Ypres and marched to Zillebeke where they took over the front line trenches. They spent several days draining and improving the trenches amid enemy sniping. Relieved on 8th February they moved to billets in Ypres as part of the General reserve. On 11th February there was heavy shelling near their billets and on the following day they moved by bus back to La Brearde. Training took place there until 11th April.

On 12th April they moved to Renescure and on 23rd April marched via Abeele to Godewaersvelde. On 24th they proceeded to Vlamertinghe before moving at night to Reninghelst. On 25th and 26th April they moved via Poperinghe and Watou to Forge, where they left the horses, and returned to Vlamertinghe. On 27th they were shelled out of their huts and bivouacked in a field. On 28th they moved to Abeele and over the next three days met up with the Brigade at Forge.

In early May they left the horses at Vlamertinghe and marched to Hazebrouck before going by bus to Brielen near Ypres. On 12th May, as dismounted infantry, they took over the trenches north of the railway near Bellewaarde Farm and immediately became involved in the Battle of Frezenberg Ridge (otherwise called the 2nd Battle of Ypres). During this battle on 12th and 13th May the Leicestershire Yeomanry suffered 186 casualties but Fred escaped unscathed.

On 14th May the battalion moved to dugouts at Brielen and on 15th May to Vlamertinghe where they stood to in readiness until 21st May. On 21st May they moved to Hazebrouck and spent a week exercising the horses. On 28th May they proceeded to Wittes, followed by two days of trench work while based in dugouts on the ramparts at Ypres. They then returned to billets at Wittes.

Throughout June and July 1915 the Yeomanry remained in Wittes, providing working parties for digging trenches at Neuve Eglise, Sailly-sur-la-Lys and Elverdinghe. On 6th August they moved to new billets in villages near Hervarre while they dug trenches at Armentières, and on 29th September moved on again to Le Nieppe. In mid-October they moved to Noordpeene and then Fruges. Early November was spent digging trenches at Lynde, Ouderdom, Zillebeeke lake and north of Bielen. From there they moved to Wicquinghem on November 16th and dug trenches at Ebblinghem and Lynde. The regiment remained at Wicquinghem until 14th March 1916.

From then until 6th May 1916 the Leicestershire Yeomanry was in billets at Herly and Rollez before moving to Bourthes. From 15th to 20th May they were in training at Neuilly l'Hôpital, returning afterwards to Bourthes until 24th June. Between 24th June and 4th July the regiment transferred via Crécy en Ponthieu, Berteaucourt-les-Dames and Corbie to Fontaine-sur-Somme, where on 5th July they were sent to clear the battlefield. From 8th July to 1st August and back at Corbie they provided working parties to mend the roads at Henencourt and to clear the battlefield at Bécourt. The first five days of August were spent moving back to Bourthes where they remained until 11th September, providing working parties and sniping parties. From 11th September the regiment was continually on the march, which ended when squadrons moved into billets at Lebiez, Torcy and Rimboval in the Pas de Calais on 24th September. Here a group of 8 Officers and 256 Ordinary Ranks proceeded to form part of the 7th Cavalry Pioneer Battalion.

They did not move again until 1st February 1917 when they went into new billets at Merlimont Plage, on the Channel coast south-west of Etaples, where they spent until the beginning of April training men and horses and trialling the comparative effects of rifle and Hotchkiss machine gun fire. Between 4th and 19th April they marched to Arras and then on to Estruval (Somme). Between 12th and 24th May they proceeded to the area east of Epehy.

At around this time Fred returned to England to train for a commission. On 24th November 1917 he was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant with the 3/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry and soon after sent to France to be with the 20th Hussars.

The precise date on which Fred joined the 20th Hussars is not recorded in the regiment's war diary but it may have been towards the end of December when the regiment was in reserve at Vendelles. For the whole of January 1918 the regiment was at Vraignes-lès-Hornoy. On 4th February they began a three-day march to Athies where they went into Corps mobile reserve until 2nd March. At Athies they carried out building and repair work and had intensive training in equitation.

On 13th March the regiment moved to the Bois d'Autrecourt, south of Quesny. After providing wiring parties for wiring and road making they moved into immediate support at Jussy on 22nd March. The German Spring Offensive had just begun. On 23rd March the regiment held the line on the Failland-Flavy road and on 24th March took up position on the high ground east of Beines. After being ordered to retire the regiment crossed the Noyon-Nesle Canal to Beaurains and then proceeded via Vauchelles to Catigny. Between 26th March and the end of the month the regiment moved via Lagny, Arsy, Noroy, and La Boutillerie to the Bois l'Abbé, north of Cachy.

On 1st April the dismounted company attacked and recaptured the wood at Hourges. Between 6th and 15th April the regiment marched via Buigny l'Abbé, Cumonville, Vitz Villeroy, Hezeque and Belle Hôtesse to the Bois de Clebert. They remained here for range practice and parades until 29th April when they marched to Hézecques. On 5th May they moved to Aix-en-Issart and stayed there until 13th July. Here they practised a brigade scheme and field firing as well as taking part in a boxing competition. There was aso a severe influenza outbreak. During the remainder of July they helped the Canadians with a reserve defence system at Grand Rullecourt.
Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when sent with his troop to find out enemy positions. Coming under heavy machine-gun fire, he pushed on with three men and a Hotchkiss rifle and by inflicting many casualties on the enemy and sending back accurate information assisted the advance of his infantry. Throughout the operation he showed great dash and initiative'.


On 4th August the regiment began a four-day march to Glisy and on 8th August went into the attack at the Battle of Amiens. After the battle they marched from Ignaucourt to Labroye over four days. From 24th August to 5th September they were based at Warlincourt, after which they marched via Albert to Behencourt where they remained for drill and tactical exercises until 25th September. On 29th September they were held in reserve for an attack at Roisel.

By 1st October they were stationed in a valley near Magny-la-Fosse and on 2nd October attacked the enemy but were forced to withdraw. On 8th October the regiment attempted to seize the high ground south and west of Bohain but made little progress. On 13th October, having moved to Vaux le Prêtre, they resumed the attack. During this period Fred was awarded the Military Cross.



Fred outside his harness shop, 
Connaught, Ontario

Fred went on leave to England on 21st October. By the time he returned to France the regiment was at Clairfaye and on 11th November the Armistice was declared. The 20th Hussars were then ordered to move to Reuland, Germany, which they reached on 1st December. After nineteen days in Germany they returned to Grand Halleux and then to Sart-lez-Spa in Belgium where demobilisation began. Fred returned to England on 6th February 1919.

Fred's brothers Arthur and George served in the Wiltshire Regiment during the war. George was killed in 1915 but Arthur survived. Fred's brother Henry, who had also been with the Wiltshire Regiment, had died in Rawalpindi, India, in 1904. Fred's sisters Kate, Nancy and Flora emigrated to Canada in 1907, 1908 and 1912 respectively.


On 11th December 1919 Fred sailed from Liverpool on the SS Haverford for Philadelphia. From there he travelled to St. Thomas, Elgin, Ontario, Canada, where his sister Nancy lived with her family. Fred set up a harness shop in Connaught, Timmins, Ontario, and on 3rd February 1927 he married Dorothy Alice Grant in Timmins. He was still alive in 1968.

Captain (Brigade Major)
James Frederick Lorimer Fison MC MiD

 

1/4th Bn, Suffolk Regiment.

Died at Home of Pneumonia, 2nd November 1917, Aged 27.

Buried St. Peter’s Churchyard, Stutton, Suffolk.

(MC) The Edinburgh Gazette. Issue 12955.
26 June 1916. p. 1154

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 30072.
15 May 1917. p. 4747.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 304217.
December 1917. p. 12913.

 


MC Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry. When the enemy exploded a mine he led a bombing party over the parapet, bombed the enemy right out of the crater, and held them till the near lip was consolidated. He also patrolled beyond the crater to find out where the enemy were.'


 


Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.


Captain Walter Stanley Gimson MC

 

King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

Attd. 61st T.M. Battery.

Killed in Action 16th August 1917, Aged 32.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29886. 29 December 1916. p.34.

 


Citation

'For an act or acts of conspicuous gallantry during active operations against the enemy'


 


Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.


Company Sergeant Major 13609 Robert Hancock MC


9th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29824.
14 November 1916. p.11072.


Robert Hancock was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, on New Year’s Day 1880. He was the son of William Hancock and his first wife Elizabeth (née Halley) who were married in Worksop in 1872. Robert had two brothers George and Arthur and two sisters Fanny and Annie. Arthur, however, died aged 12 in 1890.

When Robert was six, in 1886, his mother died aged 35. Six months later Robert’s father was remarried in Worksop to a widow, Maria Sargeson (née Wainwright) whose husband Henry had also died in 1886. The two households merged and Maria’s children George, John, Albert and Edith Sargeson became part of the blended family. Robert’s father and his second wife Maria had five more children Herbert, Mary, Lucy, Fred and Emily, half-siblings to Robert. Three other half-siblings died young.

When Robert was born in 1880 his father was a labourer, horseman and groom and in 1881 the family was living at 2 Garside’s Yard, Worksop. Ten years later they were at 6 Eastgate and by 1901 they had moved to 35 Gladstone Street. In 1901 Robert’s father was a coal and general carter and Robert, aged 21, who had worked on a farm when he left school, was now a bricklayer’s labourer. In 1911 the family was living at 40 Sand Hill Street, Worksop, and Robert was still single, living at home and still employed as a bricklayer’s labourer. In 1914, when war broke out, Robert was employed as a miner by the Wigan Coal and Iron Company at Manton Pit near Worksop.

Robert enlisted on 5th September 1914 and was sent to the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment. On 24th September he was posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 13609.

The 9th (Service) Battalion was raised at Leicester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 23rd Division as Divisional Troops. The units of the Division began to assemble at Bullswater and Frensham in Hampshire from September 1914 and the King, Queen and Princess Mary visited the fledgling Division on 29th September. On 4th November 1914 Robert was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In early December, as the weather worsened, the Division moved into Aldershot and then, at the end of February 1915, to Shorncliffe in Kent. On 15th February 1915 Robert was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

In April 1915 Robert’s battalion became part of the newly established 37th Division of Kitchener's 2nd New Army and the Division began to concentrate on Salisbury Plain. Robert was encamped on Perham Down.

On 29th July 1915 Robert was sent to France, travelling from Folkestone to Boulogne on the SS St. Seiriol. Initially the 37th Division concentrated near Tilques. The 9th Battalion then moved via Watten, Houlie, St. Omer, Eecke and Dranoutre to Wulverghem and Bienvillers-au-Bois, a short distance from the front line. In the months that followed the 9th Battalion did tours in the trenches, alternating with the 7th Leicesters who relieved them. They were Involved in operations in Bailleul, Le Bizet, Armentières, Mondicourt, Beauval and Berles-au-Bois.

On 11th February 1916 Robert was promoted to Acting Company Sergeant Major.

In April 1916 the 9th Leicesters moved to the Doullens area for six weeks for cleaning up, resting and training. In mid-May they returned once more to the trenches in the Bienvillers-Bailleulmont sector. In June there was a series of nightly excursions into No-Man's Land with patrols attempting to gather information on the enemy's dispositions. On other occasions there were working parties repairing the British barbed wire entanglements. The situation became increasingly hazardous as the month wore on when the Germans began to use a new and more accurate type of trench mortar.

On 27th June 1916 Robert was confirmed in the rank of Company Sergeant Major.

On 1st July 1916, the first day of the Somme Offensive, the 9th Leicesters moved into position at Souastre in readiness to reinforce the troops attacking at Gommecourt. No orders came, however, and the men marched back to Humbercamps. Training continued on the 4th and 5th July. On 6th and 7th July they marched via Talmas to Crouy and on 8th and 9th July they rested and were addressed by the Divisional Commander on the forthcoming battle. On 10th July they moved to Ailly-sur-Somme and then entrained for Méricourt before going by bus to bivouacs in Méaulte, north-east of Amiens. They then took over as Quadrangle Trench and Quadrangle support. On 11th there was heavy shelling but no infantry attack. On 12th July the 9th battalion was relieved and moved back to Fricourt.

Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry during operations. Under very heavy fire he collected men from various units, and consolidated the position, constantly exposing himself in order to encourage the men. He was finally wounded. '

On 14th July the battalion moved up to the south edge of Mametz Wood just as an intense bombardment of the German positions began, and on to Bazentin-le-Petit Wood. Over the next two days the battalion suffered heavy casualties. Robert was awarded the Military Cross ‘For conspicuous gallantry during operations. Under very heavy fire he collected men from various units, and consolidated the position, constantly exposing himself in order to encourage the men. He was finally wounded’.

Robert received a gunshot wound to his lower left leg and ankle, fracturing his tibia. He was taken to the 3rd Canadian General (McGill) Hospital in Dannes Camiers, north of Etaples before being brought back to England to Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham.

Robert was then posted, with the rank of Sergeant, to the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment. On 30th December 1916 Robert married Gladys Reeves Stenton at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin and All Souls, Bulwell, Nottingham.

On 9th January 1917 Robert was sent to the Command Depot at Ripon, Yorkshire, and restored to the rank of Company Sergeant Major. A Command Depot was for the rehabilitative training of soldiers too fit for convalescent camp, but not yet fit enough to be returned to active service.

Robert remained in Ripon until the end of the war and was discharged to Army Reserve on 2nd May 1919. At the time he gave his address as Farnley Grange Cottage, Markington, Harrogate, and he took up building work in the area. He was then offered a job at Manton Colliery but left because of unrest among the miners. His old employer at Worksop offered him a job on bridge building contracts which he took and he was placed in charge of the building of Kegworth Bridge.

Robert and his wife had six sons Gordon, Louis, Stanley, Robert Junior, Thomas and Edward (known as ’Ted’) and two daughters Olive and Gladys Evelyn. Because of schooling and employment for the large family they moved to 17 Oxford Street, Loughborough. Robert then obtained employment at William Moss and Sons, builders of Loughborough.

When their children left home Robert and Gladys moved to a bungalow in Deane Street. Robert died in Leicester in 1969, aged 89. He was buried in Loughborough Cemetery.


 

Second Lieutenant William Frederick Jelley MC

 

6th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment.                                   

Died of Wounds 2nd November 1917, Aged 22       

The London Gazette. Supplement 30466.
9 January 1918. p. 619.
 
    

 



Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in handling his platoon. Although wounded in the head he continued to lead his platoon until he had gained his objective. Later in the day, he was again wounded, having his thigh broken, but although in great pain and unable to move, he continued to urge on his men, and by his splendid pluck and fortitude kept up their spirits until after dark, when he was carried from the field.


 

 

 

 

 


Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.


 

RSM 24003 Henry George Lovett MC DCM MiD

 

1/5th Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously numbered as 2428 and 6712. Also served with the 2/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment. 

(MC) The London Gazette. Supplement 31583.
3 October 1919. p. 12312.           

(DCM) The London Gazette.Supplement 31219.
7 March 1919. p. 3243.

(MiD) The London Gazette.
11 December 1917.
               

Henry George Lovett, sometimes called 'Harry', was born on 27th March 1872 in Chatham, Kent, and baptised on 22nd May 1872 at the Wesleyan-Methodist Chapel, Manor Street, Brompton, Kent. He was the son of Enoch Lovett, a Royal Marine, and his wife Kate (née Cuffe) who were married on 24th November 1869 in Monkstown, Dublin, Ireland.

Henry had one brother Enoch (Junior) and two sisters Elizabeth and Mary Ann but his three siblings all died young. In 1871 the family lived in Victoria Place, Chatham, Kent. In 1881 the whereabouts of Henry and his mother is unrecorded, but Henry's father was serving as a Colour Sergeant on the Royal Navy vessel HMS Victor Emanuel.

By 1886 Henry, aged almost 15, was living at the Rutland Arms in Loughborough, He was employed by Henry Beeby, saddler, of Church Gate. On 10th November 1886 Henry Lovett attested in Loughborough to join the militia for six years. As Boy 2428 he joined the 3rd Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment but purchased his discharge on 9th February 1887. He then took a machinist's apprenticeship with George Mee. and was subsequently employed at the Falcon Works in Loughborough as a turner.

In 1890 Henry joined Loughborough C Company of the 1st (Volunteer) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. As Private 6712 he also became a proficient trombonist. In 1891 he was living with his mother at 37 Russell Street, Loughborough. His mother, as noted on the census, was now living apart from his father who was in lodgings at 172 Wilton Road, Aston, Warwickshire, and employed as an engineer's clerk.

Henry was also a good shot and one of the team which in 1899 won the Burnaby Challenge Shield - an honour which the teams of crack shots in the county always fought for with considerable zest. Around this time he was also appointed Bandmaster of C Company of the 1st (Volunteer) Battalion and added woodwind to the band which had previously only consisted of brass instruments.

Henry's mother died in Loughborough, aged 47, in 1899 and on 22nd January 1900 Henry reattested at Leicester to serve in South Africa for the duration of the 2nd Boer War. He was swiftly promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and then Corporal and sent to South Africa to join the 1st Battalion on 17th February 1900. He returned to England on 30th May 1901 and was awarded the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps for Belfast and Laing's Nek.

Henry, now a Sergeant, returned to C Company of the Volunteer Militia in Loughborough, and was reemployed by the Falcon Works. On 19th December 1901 he married Sarah Ann Coltman at All Saints Church, Loughborough. When in 1908 the Volunteer Militia became Territorial Battalions of the Regular Army Henry was renumbered as 24003 and became part of the 1/5th Battalion (Territorial Force) of the Leicestershire Regiment.

By 1908 Henry had become landlord of the Clarence Inn, 90 Nottingham Road, Loughborough. He had also become a member of the Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. In 1912 he became the landlord of the Old Boot hotel in the Cattle Market, Loughborough. By 1914 Henry and his wife had one son John and three daughters Edith, Lilian and Dorothy. Another daughter Catherine (twin to Edith) died in infancy. Hasbury

In 1911 Henry's father, who was now employed as the caretaker at the Smallpox Hospital, Hasbury. Halesowen, Worcestershire, was remarried to a widow Alice Turner (née Lewis) in King's Norton.

When war broke out in 1914 the 1/5th Battalion was initially sent to Luton. After moving for a short while to Bishop's Stortford in November 1914 they returned to Luton to practise marching and night work. On 25th February 1915 they were ordered to entrain at Harlow for Southampton. They landed at Le Havre three days later. They went by train to St. Omer, and then marched to Hardifort. The battalion spent the first few months in France in the Armentières sector, training and doing tours in the trenches. In June they moved to the Salient, near Zillebeke and Ouderdom, where they remained until the beginning of October when they were ordered to move towards Loos.

From July to September 1915 the battalion remained in the area of Zillebeeke and Ouderdom, before moving to Hesdigneul-lès-Béthune in October, La Couture in November and Merville and Thienne in December.

On 12th October 1915 the battalion travelled to the Hohenzollern Redoubt, arriving in Vermelles at 10.00pm. They spent the next eight hours in communication trenches. On 13th October 1915 during the attack on the Redoubt, part of the final stages of the Battle of Loos, the 1/5th Battalion was in reserve until just after midday, when they 'went over the top' and came under intense machine gun fire. Henry courageously led B Coy in the action after all the company's officers had been wounded and he himself then suffered a serious wound to his face.

Henry was brought back to England and after he had convalesced was posted to the 2/5th Battalion of the Leicesters. The date when he joined the 2/5th Battalion is unknown as Henry's WW1 service papers have not survived.

In late 1915 the 2/5th Leicesters were based in Harpenden but also provided guards for the prisoner of war camp at Donington Hall. The battalion was expecting to be sent to France in the spring of 1916 but was instead sent to Dublin to help quell the Irish Uprising.

By the end of April the main uprising was over and the 2/5th Battalion supplied search parties for Ballsbridge and guarded railways, bridges and other key infrastructure. On the 10th May they moved out of the city to tackle pockets of resistance in County Kerry, searching homes and making arrests. In June word was received that the Battalion would be moving to France and training resumed with long route marches through Ireland. In August they marched 80 miles from Tralee to Fermoy Barracks, where they would remain until January 1917, engaged in live fire training in trench warfare. The return trip from Ireland was made aboard the SS Ulster and the battalion arrived at Fovant Camp in Wiltshire by train at 7pm on 6th January 1917.

After embarkation leave they proceeded to France via Southampton, arriving at Le Havre on the 24th February 1917. They were sent to the Somme area where the enemy was retreating to the Hindenburg Line. They made their first attack on the villages of Hesbecourt and Hervilly on 31st of March 1917, capturing both villages and suffering a number of casualties.

On 1st April the battalion began constructing a line of cruciform posts and on the following day were shelled while doing so. On 3rd and 4th April part of the battalion supported the 4th Leicesters in an attack on Fervaque Farm while the rest of the battalion built posts in Templeux. On 11th and 12th April the battalion moved to Hervilly and Hamelet to provide working parties and on 15th A and C Coys were in support for an attack on Villeret. On 17th April the battalion moved from Brosse Woods to Templeux and Hervilly and were in support again on the following day in an attack on a quarry north of Villeret. On 19th April the battalion moved to Hancourt for cleaning up, working parties and training. On the night of 27th/28th April Hancourt was bombarded by the enemy and the battalion moved to the front line at Le Vergier.

Trench tours continued until 15th May when the battalion marched back to Bois Bias training camp between Bouvincourt-en-Vermandois and Le Catelet. Training took place until 25th May when they moved to Equancourt and went into the front and support lines at Villers Plouich. Here until 7th June more posts were constructed amid some heavy enemy bombardment. From 7th-16th June the battalion was in Brigade Reserve at Dessart Wood, after which the battalion returned to the front line at Villers Plouich and carried out cable digging and laying for the Royal Engineers. Attack training took place at Equancourt from 22nd-30th June, after which the battalion went into support at Metz-en-Couture until 10th July. For the rest of July and the first three weeks of August the battalion was in training at Barastre camp. On 22nd August the battalion moved via Senlis to a front one mile south-west of Le Sars for further training.

At some point during July or August 1917 Henry was reposted to the 1/5th Leicesters as Warrant Officer 2 and accorded the title of Company Sergeant Major.

On 3rd July the 1/5th Battalion moved to Monchy-Breton for reorganisation and training. On 22nd July they moved to Vaudricourt before going into the line at Hulluch until 28th July. After respite at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was at Fouquières until 14th August, practising for an attack. Moving to Noyelles the battalion went into the trenches on 15th August and carried out a raid on the German trenches at Hulluch on the night of the 16th/17th August. After a break at Noyelles for training the battalion returned to the trenches. The end of August was spent at Philosophe, providing carrying parties.

During September, October and early November 1917 the battalion completed six trench tours at St. Elie, with breaks at Fouquières and Philosophe. During one tour the battalion was visited by a Mr. Wilkes of the Leicester Mail, 'attired in a grey suit, steel helmet and box respirator'. On 14th November the battalion moved to Mazingarbe for a trench tour in the Hill 70 sector. November ended with the battalion billeted at Verquin, Vaudricourt and Drouvin for training and a battle rehearsal.

Three more trench tours took place in December, this time in the Cambrin right sector where there were a number of very heavy bombardments and gas attacks by the enemy.

New Year's Day 1918 was marked by another heavy bombardment on the battalion's trenches near Hulluch. During early January when away from the front line the battalion also provided wire carrying parties and working parties. On 20th January the battalion began a four-day transfer by march to Chocques. Between 24th January and 28th February the battalion was in training at Chocques, Allouagne, Fiefs, and Reclinghem.

In February or March 1918 Henry was promoted to Warrant Officer Class 1 and given the title of Regimental Sergeant Major.

Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.

On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling. On 10th April the battalion moved back into Hill 70 support, but the back areas were filled with gas and the men were sent to Coupigny Huts, Bracquemont.

Training began on 15th April but two days later 100 men became sick with what the medical specialists considered to be influenza. Sixty men were evacuated and a special rest station was set up. Those men who were well were moved to Hersin and another 100 evacuated. On 24th April the battalion moved to Bruay and went into Reserve at Fouquières on 25th, only to be shelled in their billets. As the battalion was marching to the trenches at Le Hamel on 28th April the enemy opened fire near Essars. Three men were killed and thirty-five wounded or gassed.

The battalion reached the trenches on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans.

During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel. Breaks were taken at Vaudricourt Park Camp and in August there were four days of training at Hesdigneul. The men also enjoyed a concert party by The Whizz-Bangs at Verquin.

By 7th August there were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and at the beginning of September, when the battalion pushed forward to Richebourg, they found a number of notices pinned up which said: 'Dear Tommy, You are welcome to all we are leaving. When we stop we shall stop and stop you in a manner you won't appreciate. Fritz.' The day after the note was found the battalion front was severely bombarded by the enemy.

From 9th -11th September the battalion was in training at Gosnay sandpits and between Béthune and Verquin. On 12th September they entrained at Chocques for Ribemont-Méricourt. Between 14th and 18th September they continued training, at Sailly-le-Sec in field firing and using a compass at night, at Franvillers in a Brigade tactical scheme, and at Teutry in attack procedure.

After this they marched to the Brigade support position in a newly captured sector east of Le Verguier and prepared for an attack on Pontruet. On 24th September the battalion took part in this operation before returning to the trenches at le Verguier.

A major operation in the area of the St. Quentin Canal began on 29th September with an attack on the Hindenburg Line. The battalion advanced to the canal in artillery formation. After crossing the canal they advanced and secured Magny-la-Fosse on 1st October. On 3rd October 1918 A and D Coys, ordered to attack Doon Hill, formed up south of the Preselles to Sequehart road. The attack was unsuccessful and on 4th October the battalion was relieved and moved back over the canal to Etricourt. On 5th October the battalion moved to a nearby ridge. On 8th October the battalion was ordered to advance and having crossed the canal by Riquerval Bridge, proceeded to an assembly position on the south side of the Magny-Joncourt road and prepared to relieve Presselles. On 11th October the battalion was ordered to push forward to the Bois de Riquerval and Regnicourt and was involved in continuous fighting.
DCM Citation

'For the past year he has been R.S.M., He has throughout shown great keenness, courage and initiative, particularly in organising the supply of ammunition in difficult circumstances and under fire. His service in this respect was worthy of special praise during the recent advance at Richebourg. Prior to his appointment as R.S.M. he served for six months as C.S.M., being seriously wounded in 1915 at the Hohenzollern Redoubt, an action in which he took command of his company with great gallantry when all the officers became casualties'.
MC Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and good work during the operations on 11th October 1918, at the Bois de Riquerval. He rendered very valuable service to his commanding officer throughout some fourteen hours continuous fighting. On more than one occasion he reorganised men of different units and held on to a position gained under heavy fire. Throughout the operation he rendered good service'.

On 7th March 1919 Henry was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.


On 12th October Henry returned to England on leave. Whether he returned again to France is unknown. After the war Henry resumed his position as landlord of the Old Boot Hotel and continued to support and recruit for the 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment. He remained the battalion's Bandmaster and organised concerts in Queen's Park, Loughborough, and at the Town Hall.

On 3rd October 1919 Henry was awarded the Military Cross.

On 1st May 1919 Henry was also awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.

Henry died in Loughborough, aged 53, after a short illness on 29th March 1925. He was buried with military honours on 3rd April.

  

 

 


Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Instituted on 4thDecember 1854.

The DCM was the first official medal award to recognise an act of gallantry in the field by a member of the armed forces who was below the rank of officer. It was the other ranks' equivalent of the Distinguished Service Order.

The DCM was awarded for gallantry in the field in the face of the enemy. Other ranks in the British Army and also non-commissioned ranks in Commonwealth Forces were eligible for this award.

The reverse of the medal bears the inscription 'For Distinguished Conduct in the Field'. A bar carrying the date of a subsequent deed could be added to the ribbon until 1916 when the bar was changed to a laurel wreath. A recipient of the award is entitled to use the letters DCM after their name.
 

 



Sergeant 11944  Alfred Adams DCM

C. Coy. 7th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 31819.
9 March 1920. p. 3008.

Alfred Adams was born in Rugby, Warwickshire, on 20th January 1895 and baptised at St. Andrew's Church, Rugby, on 10th May 1895. He was the son of Edward Adams and his wife Catherine (née Unwin) who were married at St. Mary's Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, on Christmas Day 1882. Alfred had one brother Edward and four sisters Annie, Rosie, Lillie and Alice. Two other siblings Beatrice and Nellie (twins) died in infancy.

Alfred's father began his working life as a gardener. By the time Alfred was born his father had become a theatrical agent and the family was living at 45 Wood Street, Rugby. Five years later they moved to 20 Broad Street, Loughborough, and Alfred's father was employed as a bill inspector at the local theatre. In 1911 the family had moved to 13 Broad Street and Alfred's father had become an agent for Singer sewing machines. Alfred, now aged 16, was an office clerk in an electrical engineering company.

When war broke out Alfred enlisted with the Leicestershire Regiment.

As Private 11944 with C Coy of the 7th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment he was sent to Aldershot for training. In April 1915 his battalion was moved to Cholderton on Salisbury Plain, and on 25th June they were inspected by King George V at Sidbury Hill. On 29th July 1915 they received orders to proceed to France. For the remainder of 1915 the battalion was involved in various trench warfare activities in the Arras area of northern France.

The freezing weather of January 1916 made life doubly difficult and in February they were required to take over extra trench areas vacated by the French who were concentrating every effort at the Battle of Verdun. These new trenches eventually included those in front of Bailleulment to the left of existing positions and to the right as far as far as Hannescamps. At the same time the enemy redoubled its efforts in shelling Berles-au-Bois.

When not in the trenches the 7th Leicesters received intensive training in bombing, Lewis gunnery, visual signalling and a host of other activities. In April they were moved to the Doullens area and formed working parties to cut down trees and prepare brushwood for the front line as well as repairing the support trenches in the area. In May they worked on building a new railway line between Le Bret and Bienvillers-au-Bois. Men not building the railway were in the trenches. Towards the end of May the entire battalion returned to the trenches in the Bienvillers-Bailleulmont area.

At the beginning of July 1916 the 7th Battalion moved on to the Somme. They were at Fricourt on 13th July and at Mametz Wood and in the attack on Bazentin-le-Petit on 14th July.

Relieved from Mametz Wood on 16th July the battalion proceeded to Fricourt and then on to Ribbemont. On 20th July they began a three day move by train and route march to Moncheux, and two days later marched on to billets at Beaufort. On 28th July the battalion moved again to Agnez-les-Duisans, near Arras, for company training and on 6th August took over a section of battered trenches there. The companies of the battalion took turns in trench work.

On 4th September the battalion marched to Denier. After ten days training at Denier and Sars-le-Bois the battalion entrained for the Somme on 12th September and bivouacked outside Montauban, north-east of Bernafay Wood. On 25th September they fought very bravely and successfully at Gueudecourt in an action which was part of the Battle of Morval.

On 4th October the battalion entrained once more for the north and the countryside of Loos, taking over positions opposite the Hohenzollern Redoubt with rest billets at Mazingarbe, Philosophe, or Vermelles. Training at Cauchy-à-la-Tour and Houtkerque followed from 20th December 1916 until 12th February 1917.

On 13th February the battalion entrained at Proven for Fouquerieul and marched to billets in the tobacco factory in Béthune. Moving on to Labourse they were back in the trenches in the Hohenzollern sector on 15th February, moving up to the front line on 21st February. Breaks from the trenches were taken in Noyelles. In March 1917 the battalion experienced what one soldier called 'the bombardment of our lives'.

On 29th March the battalion entrained at Noyelles for Saulty-L'Arbret and marched to La Cauchie and on to Moyenville. On 4th April the battalion went into the front line at St. Leger Croisilles, with breaks at Moyenville. From 15th to 23rd April the battalion was in training at Bailleulval before returning to the trenches at St. Leger Croisilles. On 28th April the battalion was in action at the Battle of Arleux and on 3rd May in reserve for the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt, moving into the front line on 4th May. From 4th -11th May the battalion suffered from very heavy enemy shelling. From 12th-31st May the battalion was withdrawn for training at Bienvillers. Further training and trench tours followed in the Moyenville area in June, July and August, followed by a break in Hamelincourt.

On 25th and 26th August the battalion marched to Gouy-en-Artois and then Beaufort for training. After a further move to Hauteville for more training and a football tournament and boxing competition, both of which the 7th Leicesters won, on 16th September the battalion entrained at Savy station for Caestre.

On 23rd September the battalion marched to Berthen. On 26th September they moved by bus to Scottish Wood and then to Bedford House as reserve in the forward area. After two days rest at Micmac Camp the battalion was back in the forward area on 29th. The 3rd Battle of Ypres had been raging for two months and the ground was full of water-logged shell holes, which had to be negotiated over duckboards. The 7th Leicesters joined the battle on the night of the 30th September, marching up to Polygon Wood, which had been captured by the Australians. The 9th Leicesters took over positions in the right half of the Polygon sector just outside the wood with the 7th Battalion behind them in support and the 6th Leicesters in reserve.

On 1st October the enemy began a heavy barrage. The Leicesters nevertheless pushed forward. An intense artillery duel followed on 2nd October before the battalion was relieved and marched south-east of Zillebeke Lake to Wiltshire Farm. On 4th October the battalion moved up again to south of Zillebeke Lake, bivouacking there. On the following day they were back in the support line west of Polygon Wood. On 6th October two companies moved up to the front line at Reutel, with the other two companies in support. On 10th October, amid a hostile barrage, the battalion was relieved and moved to Anzac Camp. On the 11th October they entrained at Ouderdom station for Ebblinghem and marched to billets and camp at La Carnois. After four days rest they marched to Les Ciseaux and were taken by bus to dugouts in the railway embankments at Shrapnel Corner. After remaining here until 24th October they moved to B Camp at Chateau Segard for reorganisation and training.

After three days cable laying at Clapham Junction at the beginning of November the battalion returned to B Camp before moving to dugouts on the Zillebeke Bund on 7th November and to the front line on the following day. After returning to A Camp at Chateau Segard on 13th November the battalion moved on to Devonshire Camp in the Reninghelst area and on 17th began a five day transfer by march to Coupigny. On 25th November they moved again to Frevillers for training. On 30th November the battalion received urgent orders to entrain at Savy for Tincourt.

On 1st December 1917 the battalion went into the front and support lines near Tincourt, moving into the support trenches at Epehy on 4th. Back in the front line from the 8th-11th December the battalion installed wiring, improved trenches and dug a new front line. After a break at Villers-Faucon they returned to the front line from 16th-20th. On Christmas Eve the battalion returned to the trenches for four days, but were given their Christmas dinner at Saulcourt on 29th December.

The new year of 1918 began with a four day trench tour, followed by training at Liéramont and Haut Allaines until 19th January. On the 20th the battalion moved to Epehy by light railway and began another trench tour before moving into Brigade Reserve at Saulcourt on 28th. On 4th February the battalion moved into support at Epehy. Relieved on 7th February the battalion moved by light railway to Moislains, where training took place until 18th February. The battalion then moved to B Camp, Templeux la Fosse, and worked on the trenches and railway at Flamincourt. From 24th -28th February the battalion was based at Adrian Camp, Villers-Faucon, for wiring work and trench digging.

In March it became clear that the Germans were planning a Spring Offensive. On the morning of the enemy assault, 21st March 1918, the 7th Battalion was holding the left hand portion of the front between Pezières and Epehy village when it was attacked by German stormtroopers. The battle for Epehy raged all day. On 22nd March the battalion was ordered to retreat towards the old Somme battlefield of 1916, crossing the Peronne Canal to Aizecourt-le-Bas and Feuillaucourt and taking up position on a ridge to the north of Hem.

On 2nd April the battalion marched to Dranoutre and entrained at St. Roch station, Amiens, having been posted once more to the Ypres Salient. They proceeded by lorry to Monmouthshire Camp, moving on to Butterfly and Leeds Camps, La Clytte, Chipawa and Scottish Wood Camps and arriving at Manawatu Camp on 11th. On 12th April the battalion went into the trenches, holding the front, reserve and support lines until 17th April during the second major German offensive which had opened on the Lys. In spite of a heavy German attack the battalion held out until relieved on 1st May. Having been withdrawn to Oost Houck they marched to Wizernes on 4th May and entrained for Labery where training took place until 12th May.

On 14th May the battalion marched via Prouilly to the trenches west of Hermonville in the valley of the River Aisne. On 27th May the battalion entered the 3rd Battle of the Aisne, begun by the Germans as part of their Spring Offensive.

On 27th May the battalion was outflanked and ordered to withdraw to high ground east of Prouilly and then to the south bank of the River Vesle. After an increase in hostile shelling on 29th May the withdrawal continued to Mery Premecy, Pourcy, and St. Martin d'Ablois. The battalion then bivouacked in the Forêt d'Epernay before marching to Etrechy.

On 3rd June most of the battalion moved to Courjeonnet, with a small group proceeding to Igny-le-Jard. Between 9th and 14th June the battalion was training at Moeurs before entraining at Sommesous for Hangest-sur-Somme and travelling by bus to Framicourt. Training continued at Framicourt and at Monchy-sur-Eu until the end of June.

On 1st July the battalion entrained at Eu for Puchvillers and marched to Arqueves for further training until 17th July. The rest of July was spent training at Acheux Wood and on a trench tour at Englebelmer. At the end of July 170 Ordinary Ranks and 3 Officers were affected by temporary blindness and sickness.

By 4th August there were signs of an enemy withdrawal from Albert and Aveluy Wood. The battalion gradually moved forward and on 28th August crossed over the River Ancre. On 2nd September the battalion attacked the sugar factory at Beaulencourt but were driven back. After a break at Sailly-Saillisel and Manancourt the battalion supported an attack on Heudicourt on 9th September and another attack near Villers-Guislan on 18th September. On 25th September the battalion went into the trenches south of Gouzeaucourt. On the last day of September they pushed forward to the canal only to find that all bridges had been destroyed.

At the beginning of October the battalion was in the support line opposite Banteux and on 7th October moved up in preparation for an attack on the Beaurevoir line on 8th October. After the attack the battalion went into billets at Caullary for training until 21st October. On the next day the battalion moved up to Nevilly ready to attack. Between 23rd and 26th October the battalion proceeded to move the line forward before being relieved. They then moved to a camp at Amerval. On 29th October the battalion was back in the line until 2nd November. After a break at Ovillers and Autoy the battalion moved up through the Fôret de Mormal and on 6th and 7th November supported an attack to cross the River Sambre. The battalion then marched to Aulinoyes and Berlamont.
Citation

'For marked gallantry .and devotion, to duty. As signalling Serjeant he has done excellent work in the line. At all times when the battalion has reached its objective, in a very short time he had communication with companies. He set a fine example to his section during heavy enemy bombardments. He has served with the battalion since July 1915.'.

After the Armistice was declared on 11th November the battalion marched to Beaumort where they remained training until 13th December. Alfred was demobilised on 7th March 1919. When Alfred left the Army he had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Alfred was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

On 19th August 1922 Alfred, who was once again employed as a clerk, was married to Dorothy Flora Harris at All Saints Church, Loughborough.

In 1939 Alfred was a salesman in brick and tiles and he and his wife were living at The Bungalow, Zouch Hills, Nottinghamshire. During WW2 Alfred served as a Lieutenant in the Home Guard. Alfred died, aged 92, in August 1987 in Leicester.

Alfred's medals are on display at the Loughborough Carillon Tower and War Museum.

 

This pocket razor was given to Sergeant Alfred Adams of the 7th Leicestershire Regiment just prior to going 'over the top' into action during the Battle of the Somme.

It was given to him by a comrade who felt he would not survive, and did, in fact, die in battle. Sergeant Adams put the razor in his breast pocket and during the action he was struck by an enemy bullet. The full force of the bullet was taken by the razor and his life was saved.


 

Sergeant 13244 John William Briggs DCM  MM


8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Killed in Action 17th October 1917, Aged 22.

Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial panel 50 and 51.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30234.
14 August 1917. p. 8418.

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30512.
5 February 1918. p.1728.
 


DCM Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a hostile attack.

He took his Lewis gun forward as soon as the enemy barrage began, and though the line was out-flanked, he remained in an isolated forward position until his gun was put out of action. He then went back, obtained another gun and kept it in action until the attack was beaten off. He showed the greatest courage and determination in a very difficult position.
'.






 

  




Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.


Lance Corporal 242362 Herbert William Hardy DCM

 

1/4th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 31225. 11 March 1919. p. 3384.               

Herbert William Hardy was born in Loughborough on 26th November 1896 and baptised on 6th July 1900 at All Saints Church, Loughborough. He was the son of Edwin Hardy, an iron moulder, and his wife Ellen (née Bloodworth) who were married at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, on 14th October 1883. Herbert had two brothers John and Clarence and two sisters Ellen Mary and Lilian. Two other siblings Sarah and Harry died young.

In 1901 the Hardy family lived at 7 Morley Street, Loughborough, but by 1911 had moved to 27 Ratcliffe Road. In 1911 Herbert, aged 14, was an office boy in William Morris's crane works.

Herbert enlisted in the spring of 1915. He joined the 1/4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 4713 (later renumbered as Private 242362). Herbert's service record has not survived but medal records indicate that he was not sent to France until at least January 1916.

On 16th January 1916 the 1/4th Battalion was in Marseilles prior to embarking on the HMT Andana to sail to Egypt. The voyage to Egypt, however, was aborted and on 27th January the battalion was ordered to entrain for Pont Remy and march to billets at Buigny l'Abbé. Here the battalion underwent training until 11th February. On 12th February the battalion moved to Puchevillers for additional training and also to work on the railway.

The next move was via Fienvillers, Montrelet, and Gezaincourt to Doullens and then Sericourt where training continued until 8th March. On 11th March the battalion moved to Brigade reserve at Camblain l'Abbé. From here on 15th March they moved to the front line trenches opposite Givenchy and Vimy Ridge, in the area of Talus des Zouaves, to relieve the 5th Lincolnshires. On 21st March the 5th Lincolnshires relieved the 1/4th Leicesters and this pattern of reliefs was repeated over the following weeks.

On 23rd April the battalion moved to Mazières and then Savy for training until 9th May. Further moves followed to Le Souich and then Humbercamps for cable laying before a return to the trenches at Foncquevillers on 15th June.

On 30th June the battalion moved to billets in St. Amand-les-Eaux in preparation for the start of the Somme Offensive. On 2nd July the battalion transferred to Hannescamps and was heavily shelled. At Bienvillers-au-Bois on 15th July they launched a gas and smoke attack on the enemy. After a short period in training at Pommier and some work on trench improvement they moved into the trenches at Monchy-au-Bois on 1st August and were again shelled. Apart from a week in the trenches at La Cauchie the battalion remained in the Pommier/Bienvillers area until 28th October. November 1916 was spent training at Drucat, Domvast, and Mondicourt prior to a return to the trenches at Hannescamps in December

After a Christmas break at Souastre the battalion returned to the Hannescamps trenches, going into Brigade Reserve at Bienvillers at the end of the year. Further trench tours followed at Hannescamps in January 1917, with breaks at Souastre. On 27th and 28th January the battalion pushed forward and advanced the front line in operations at Gommecourt.

In February 1917 the battalion took over a new front line facing Monchy-au-Bois and experienced a very heavy enemy bombardment of trench mortars and shells. March began with training at Souastre followed a return to the front line between Hannescamps and La Brayelle before a move over nine days to Flechin took place. April began with training at Flechin and Erny St. Julien followed by a move over several days to Lens, arriving on 18th April. Two trench tours north-west of Lens in the Cité St. Pierre sector took up the rest of April.

In May there was training at Noeux-les-Mines before trench tours in the Lievin sector on 12th and 18th May. Breaks at Red Mill and Fosse 10 included the digging of new trenches. June began with training for an attack which took place on the 8th June and was successful despite 74 casualties. From Brigade support in Lievin the battalion went into the line again west of Lens in the Cité Jeanne d'Arc sector on 10th and on 19th June with a break in between digging trenches. The battalion was in billets at Bouvigny-Boyeffles from 22nd-27th June and took practiced at Marqueffles Farm for another attack.

From the trenches at the foot of Hill 65 on 28th June the battalion advanced in heavy rain and succeeded in their objectives. Another attack on 1st July was also successful. Relieved on 3rd July the battalion was taken by bus to billets at Monchy-Breton and Orlancourt where training and sports took place until 27th July. From Brigade reserve at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was sent back to the trenches at Hulluch on 28th July.

Between 28th July and 28th November the battalion completed ten trench tours in the St. Elie sector with breaks at Fouquières, Philosophe and Mazingarbe. After this the battalion moved to Noeux-les-Mines for training until 1st December when they returned to the trenches, this time in the Cambrin sub-sector. Here on 12th December the battalion was on the receiving end of an enemy mustard gas attack. On 14th December the battalion went to Beuvry into Divisional Reserve before returning to the line on 20th. Relieved on Boxing Day the battalion moved to Annequin and provided carrying and working parties.

The period from 1st to 18th-January 1918 included two trench tours in the Cambrin sector, rest and training at Beuvry, and working parties to clear the communication trenches at Annequin of snow and water, On 19th January the battalion moved to billets in the tobacco factory at Béthune and from there, on the following day, marched to Mont-Bernanchon. Here training on any large scale was impossible as the ground was under cultivation or water but a certain amount of arms drill and musketry training was carried out. The battalion received orders to work on wiring for the Royal Engineers but this did not begin until 25th as the materials had not arrived. Wiring continued until 1st February when the battalion marched to Busnes.

Training and reorganisation took place at Busnes until 8th February when the battalion marched to Westrehem. The battalion was now ordered to seize the crossing of the River Lys between Delette and Dennebroeucq. This was done and the battalion moved to Coyecque to continue training until 1st March.

On 1st March the battalion began a four-day move via Flechin, Manqueville and Noeux-les-Mines to the trenches in the Cambrin south sector. On 7th March they shot down an enemy propaganda balloon which contained a copy of Gazette des Ardennes. Several days in Brigade support at Annequin and Sailly-Labourse followed when the men provided working parties. After this there was a return to the trenches in the Cambrin north sector where they were shelled by the enemy. Following a break at Beuvry the battalion went into the front line in the Hohenzollern sector. Here they were heavily trench-mortared by the enemy who endeavoured to break through the front. As the enemy was now expected to attack between Hill 70 and La Bassée the battalion was ordered to move to the Hill 70 sector.

Relieved on 6th April the battalion moved to Les Brebis for a rest and to provide working parties. Returning to brigade support on 9th April the battalion suffered an enemy gas attack. After a brief return to the front line the battalion was relieved on 12th April and began a three-day move to Bois de Froissart Camp, Hersin, where a large number of men were sent to hospital suffering from influenza. On 26th April the battalion marched to Fouquières and into brigade support near Essars which was shelled on 29th and 30th April.

During the night of the 2nd/3rd May the battalion relieved the 5th Lincolnshires in the left sub-sector of Essars. On 4th May the enemy put down a heavy barrage and two Ordinary Ranks were killed and 120 wounded.

On 6th May the battalion was relieved and marched to Vaudricourt where the men attended a workshop for repairs to boots and clothing and their rifles and Lewis guns were inspected by the Armourer Sergeant. On 9th May the battalion, now in Divisional reserve, was ordered to move into position north of the Béthune-Beuvry road as an attack was expected.

When the attack did not happen the battalion returned briefly to Vaudricourt before going into the front and support line trenches in the Gorre left sub-sector. While they were there the battalion headquarters was hit by enemy gas bombs and all the Officers and men there were affected. On 18th May the battalion returned to Vaudricourt. Men who had been in contact with gas went to the Field Ambulance to have their clothes disinfected in a Thresh disinfector and some men were sent to hospital. Back at Vaudricourt there were lectures on gas and tests in a gas chamber.

The battalion returned to the support trenches in the Gorre sector on 24th May and on the following day at one point enemy gas shells fell every two or three minutes, forcing the men to wear their gas masks. The trench tour ended on 30th May after some heavy enemy trench mortaring and machine gun fire. From June to August there were trench tours at Essars and Gorre as well as salvage work, a ceremonial parade at Vaudricourt Park and a sports and horse show.

By 26th August there were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and the battalion began to push forward north-west of Le Touret. Between 5th and 10th September the battalion was in training at Fouquières. On 12th they entrained at Chocques for Méricourt l'Abbé where training continued until 17th. The next move was to Tertry and into the line west of Pike Wood where the battalion was badly bombed by hostile planes. The battalion subsequently carried out successful attacks on Pike Wood, Bellenglise and Magny-la-Fosse.

Citation

'For fine courage and determination.

During the attack on 29th September 1918, near Bellinglise, he attacked and captured single-handed an enemy machine-gun and team who were resisting our advance, bayoneting the officer in command and taking 12 prisoners. He subsequently assisted his platoon commander to capture three machine-guns, and set a splendid example for courage and disregard of danger.
'.


Herbert was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his courage at Bellenglise.

On 3rd October the battalion took part in a divisional attack on Ramicourt and Montbrehain. After moving to the west side of the St. Quentin Canal they advanced to hold a line north-east of Fresnoy. The advance continued to the south-west of Riquerval. On 16th October, after a couple of days training for another attack the battalion took up positions in Valley Hassard. During the attack on 17th October the battalion went into billets at Fresnoy-le-Grand for training until 2nd November.

Between 3rd and 10th November the battalion was in the line between Mazinghem and La Louvière and in support at Cartignies. When the Armistice was declared they were in billets at Sains du Nord, after which they moved to Avesnelles and carried out clearing up and garrison duties. From January to March 1919 salvage work and garrison duties continued at Bousies, Solesmes and St. Hilaire while demobilisation took place. By the time he left Herbert was a Lance Corporal.


Herbert's brother Clarence also served in the Leicestershire Regiment in the war and, like Herbert, survived the conflict.

In 1939 Herbert was living at 156 Loughborough Road, Barrow on Soar and was employed as a maintenance electrician for a roadstone quarrier. He died in 1947, aged 51.

 

Private 5818 Albert Hodder DCM

 

1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 31534. 2 September 1919. p.11127.  


Albert Hodder was born in Loughborough on 3rd July 1877. He was the son of Frederick Hodder and his wife Elizabeth Ferrin Hodder (née Limbert) who were married on 28th March 1873 at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. Albert's father was mainly a framework knitter but in 1901 he was employed as a shirt hand. Albert had four brothers Frederick, George, Edward and Arthur and two sisters Florence and Ellen (known as 'Nelly').

Between 1881 and 1891 the Hodder family lived in Wellington Street, Loughborough, firstly at No. 25 and then at No. 60. By 1901 they had moved to 16 Queen Street and by 1911 Albert's parents and his brother Arthur and sister Nelly were living at 7 King Street.

At some point in 1900 Albert joined the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 5818 and he was sent to join the 1st Battalion of the regiment who were fighting in the 2nd Boer War in South Africa. Albert was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for the Transvaal and South Africa 1902.

By 1911 Albert was a boiler stoker at the Empress Works and boarding in the home of William Warner Steele and his wife Clara at 74 Freehold Street, Loughborough.

When the war broke out in 1914 Albert, who was a reservist, was recalled. He was sent to France to join the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment on 9th November 1914. When he joined the battalion they were in action at the 1st Battle Of Ypres.

In the spring of 1915 the battalion was stationed near Armentières, and was involved in an attack intended to divert the enemy from the area of Neuve Chapelle. In June and July 1915 they were fighting again at Hooge.

Between January and July 1916 the 1st Leicesters were on the Ypres Salient. On 1st August 1916 they left the trenches at Potizje and entrained at Proven for France. They reached billets at Lealvillers, Somme, on 4th August and on the following day marched to camp in Mailly-Maillet Wood. A period of training and working parties followed. On 14th August they went into the trenches opposite Beaumont-Hamel, where they remained until 19th when they returned to the Mailly Wood camp. On 27th August they left for Flesselles. Here additional training took place. On 8th September they occupied former German trenches in the area of Trônes Wood on the northern slope of the Montaubon Ridge while in the following days the build-up for a major battle, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, took place. The battle began on 15th September and lasted seven days and the battalion incurred grievous losses. The battalion was also in action in the Battle of Morval (25th-28th September). During part of the Battle of Le Transloy (1st October-5th November 1916) the 1st Leicesters were employed carrying up stores and providing stretcher and other parties for the front line troops.

By 21st October the battalion was back in billets at Corbie where it entrained three days later for Sorel before moving over several days to Fouquières-les-Béthune in the La Bassée sector.

Most of November was spent in training with one brief trench tour and December in the trenches at Cuinchy, with breaks at Beuvry and Christmas Day at Noeux-les-Mines.

January 1917 was spent in turns in the trenches and at rest in Mazingarbe. From 1st to 21st February many raids on the enemy were carried out after which the battalion marched via Sailly Labourse to the Montmorency Barracks at Béthune.

In March and April the battalion did trench tours on the front line north of the Double Crassier, Loos, before being withdrawn to billets at Maroc on 22nd April. May brought more trench tours in the front line at Loos, with breaks in billets at Les Brebis or Philosophe.

In June the battalion was instructed, while in training at Verquin, to mount a series of small operations to give the enemy the impression that an attack was about to take place. In July Canadian forces took over in the area to attack Hill 70 and the battalion was withdrawn to the area of Monchy-Breton, proceeding by lorries to Magnicourt-en-Compte. After being briefly ordered to assist at the time of the gas shelling of Armentières, a brief period at Fleubaix, and time in the reserve line at La Boutillerie the battalion returned to Magnicourt on August 5th. At the end of August the Division returned to the Hill 70 front and went into reserve at a camp in Houchin.

In September there were front and support line trench tours at Hill 70, Les Brebis and Cité St. Pierre. At the end of September the battalion was in south Maroc and early in October at Noeux les Mines before going into the trenches in the St. Emile sector. From Mazingarbe on 21st October the battalion moved to Ligny-lez-Aire and then to Manin for training until 14th November. On 15th November the battalion entrained at Frevent for Péronne and marched to Moislains. After a couple of days under canvas at Dessart Wood the battalion moved forward to the front line at Beaucamp and on 20th November, the first day of the Battle of Cambrai, successfully attacked part of the Hindenburg Line. The battalion was relieved on 26th November and moved to another section of the front line near Noyelles where they suffered heavy enemy bombardment and shelling but nevertheless helped to achieve an advance to Gouzeaucourt.

On 1st December the battalion was at Nine Wood and was heavily shelled before being relieved and moving to new positions on the Premy-Flesquières Ridge. On 5th December the battalion moved again to positions in the front line on the Hindenburg support system where they remained until 13th December. From 14th December until the end of the year the battalion was at Bellacourt undergoing training.

In the early part of January 1918 the battalion was at Courcelles but on 18th went into the trenches on the Moeuvres front. Rest periods were taken at Luck and Lindop Camps near Fremicourt. On February 19th and 20th the battalion moved to the Lagnicourt area, where, when out of the line, they provided large working parties for work on the defences.

There were now strong rumours that the enemy was preparing a large offensive and great efforts were made to obtain information through patrols and raids. On 15th March the front line company of the battalion managed to capture a propaganda balloon laden with ten copies of the Gazette des Ardennes, a paper published in French by the Germans for distribution among the inhabitants of occupied territory. On 17th March the battalion had gone back into Brigade Reserve.

On 21st March 1918 the enemy launched their Spring Offensive. When the order to 'Stand To' in battle positions early on 21st March came through to the1ist Leicesters some of the men could not immediately be reached as they were detached on work elsewhere.

The battalion nevertheless put up a determined defence. By the evening of 21st March, however, C Company had only 1 Officer and 37 Other Ranks left. On 22nd March the enemy put down a very heavy barrage and increased pressure all along the line. When the Germans advanced rapidly between the Lagnicourt to Maricourt Wood road and Vaulx Wood both C and D Companies of the battalion were practically destroyed.

The battalion was then withdrawn to Berkeley Camp, Bihucourt, and then to Puisieux-au-Mont where, on 24th March, they entrained for Doullens. After a night at J Camp the battalion entrained for Proven. On 27th March the battalion moved to Winnizeele where reorganisation and training took place until 1st April.

On 2nd April the battalion travelled via Ypres Asylum to Belgian Chateau Camp and on the next day proceeded into the front line in the Reutel sub-sector. This area was chiefly duckboard tracks, water, shell-holes and mud and much work was done on the trenches. On 11th April the battalion entrained for a camp at Belgian Battery Corner where they remained for two days. On 13th April the battalion moved, partly by bus, to Dranoutre and into the front line.

After being heavily shelled for two days the battalion was withdrawn to a support position in a valley on the west side of Mount Kemmel. On 19th they moved into the front line for two days before being relieved and moving via Westoutre to Vancouver Camp, Vlamertinghe. Here they provided working parties. On 27th April the battalion moved to a new position at Kemmel from where the enemy was heavily defeated on the following day.

On 1st-11th May the battalion was in Divisional reserve at Vlamertinghe for work on the Switch line. From 12th-16th May they were at Belgian Chateau carrying wire and stakes to the front line, but during this time a lot of the men were falling sick. The remainder of the month was spent in the support and front lines at Chateau Segard near Vormezeele and suffered a heavy bombardment of enemy gas shells

On 18th May the battalion was sent to the front and support lines in the Chateau Ségard sector, near Voormezeele. During this trench tour they experienced enemy gas shelling and heavy artillery fire at night. On 26th May they moved to the Ravine in Brigade support and on the following day the enemy began a heavy bombardment, including gas shells, of the support lines and back areas.

From 30th May - 6th June the battalion was back in the front and support lines at Chateau Ségard. The enemy restarted shelling, including ordinary gas shells as well as those containing sneezing gas. Hostile aeroplanes were also very active. The battalion was relieved on 6th June, their relief being hampered by another hostile gas shelling attack, and moved to Dirty Bucket Camp, about two miles north-west of Vlamertinghe. Here, after inspections and cleaning up, the battalion provided working parties for the Vlamertinghe, Brandhoek and Poperinghe lines and also attended Lewis gun classes.

On 13th June 120 men became sick with influenza and on the following day 60 men were sent to hospital. The battalion was moved to School Camp near Poperinghe for further training and cases of flu continued to appear. The sickness is likely to have been the so-called 'Spanish flu', the first cases of which appeared in Belgium around this time.

On 20th June the battalion entrained at Proven for St. Omer and marched to Musketry Camp, Cornette. Here the men had four days' practice in rapid loading, trigger pressing and field firing. On 25th June the battalion entrained at St. Omer for Mendighem and marched to Rainsford Camp near Watou where training continued. Additional training took place in the Hagebaert area near Poperinghe until 5th July.

On 6th July the battalion went into the trenches in the front line of the Dickebusch Lake sector. The trenches here were in a very bad condition and owing to the proximity of Mount Kemmel all movements were easily observed by the enemy. All available men were used carrying materials to the front line, often amid enemy action. A trench tour on the Vyverbeek line followed. On 25th July the battalion withdrew to positions in the right sector of Westoutre and worked at night on cable burying.

From 3rd August the battalion was in support in the Dickebusch Lake sector, and from 6th-16th August held the front line. After being relieved they moved to Brigade reserve in the Dickebusch sector and were employed in working parties until 22nd August. On 23rd August the battalion entrained at Wellington Junction near Ouderdom, travelled by light railway to Winnezeele, changed trains for St. Momelin, and marched from there to Tilques. Training began on 26th and included practice in marshalling and escorting prisoners. On 29th August the battalion marched to Mentque for sports.

From Mentque on 1st September the battalion entrained at St. Omer for Corbie and marched to Franvillers. From 3rd-10th September there was training in attack technique and open warfare. On 11th they moved to Daours and three days later to Monchy-Lagache by bus.

Preparations were now made for an attack. On 17th September the battalion moved to the concentration area in Jean Devaux Wood where they were shelled twice and then through heavy rain, dense mist and shelling to Holnon Wood. During the concentration of troops on 18th September preparatory to an attack 50 casualties were sustained.

The attack near Holnon began on 19th September, continued in stages until 24th September, and was very successful. After the attack the battalion went into reserve in the Fresnoy sector. On 29th September the battalion moved to the Bouvincourt- Vraignes area and on 4th October proceeded by bus and route march to Magny-la-Fosse. An attack was now planned on the Méricourt Ridge and this took place between 9th and 11th October amid very heavy enemy machine gun fire. The battalion was then relieved and had two days rest in huts north of Bohain. Back at the front between 14th and 17th October they were still unable to dislodge the enemy from the ridge. On 23rd another attack was made and the enemy began to retire across the Sambre Canal. The allies then crossed the canal and the battalion was able to rest at St. Souplet and Fresnoy-le-Grand. The battalion was in Bohain when the Armistice was declared. Between 14th November and 15th December the battalion moved through Belgium into Germany. Demobilisation began at Wesseling, near Cologne, on 29th December 1918.
Citation

'He came to France in September 1914, and he served continuously with the battalion. He has served throughout in the front line and performed excellent work at 2nd Battle of Ypres and at Hooge, later on the Somme, 1916, and since then he has been employed as company runner: he has always carried through all messages entrusted to him, and shown the greatest devotion to duty. By his courage and devotion to he has set a splendid example to the younger soldiers.'



Albert was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1919.

Between 1923 and 1939 Albert remained a boarder in the home of the now widowed Clara Steele at 3A Hume Street, Loughborough. In 1939 he was employed as an engineer's labourer. In late 1940 he and Clara were married, a month or so before Albert died, aged 63.

Albert's brother Edward, who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in WW1, was severely wounded but survived the war.

Albert's Boer War and WW1 medals are held by the Royal Leicestershire Regiment Museum, Newarke Houses, Leicester.

 

A/CSM 14994 George William Lings DCM MM MiD

 

8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 29758.
19 September 1916. p. 9202

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30879.
30 August 1918. p. 10317.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 30434.
14 December 1917. p. 13232.

 
                   

George William Lings was born in Belper, Derbyshire, on 4th February 1897 and baptised on 7th March 1897 at St. Peter's Church, Belper. He was the son of William Jones Lings and his wife Florence Mabel (née Skinner) who were married at St. Peter's Church, Belper, on 26th October 1896. George had two brothers Joseph and Henry and four sisters Florence, Kezia, Sarah and Grace. Another brother Norman died, aged 2, in 1908.

In 1901 George's father was an assistant grocer and the family lived at 19 Harriett Street, Derby. By 1911 his father had become a mineral water salesman for Messrs. Burrows and Sturgess Ltd of Derby and the family had moved to 54 St. James Road, Derby. George, aged 14 in 1911, was employed as an office boy. By 1913 the family had moved to Loughborough and George had gained employment at the Brush Works. George's parents subsequently moved to Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, where his father had a grocery business with an off-licence on Nottingham Road. His parents later lived at 17 Park Street, Stapleford.

George enlisted in September 1914, at the age of 17. His precise date of enlistment, however, is unknown as his service papers have not survived. He joined the 8th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 14994.

George's battalion was part of Kitchener's New Army. It was attached to the 23rd Division of the Army and initially assembled in Hampshire. The King, the Queen and Princess Mary visited the fledgling Division on 29 September. In early December, as the weather worsened, the Division moved into Aldershot. Another move was made to Shorncliffe, Kent at the end of February 1915. In April the battalion joined the 37th Division of the Army and moved to Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. All units were inspected by King George V at Sidbury Hill on 25th June.

On 29th July 1915 George left Folkestone for France. Initially his battalion concentrated near Tilques. On 5th September the battalion moved to the Merris Vieux-Berquin area, where trench familiarisation began under the tutelage of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. Nine days later they moved to the front line sector at Bois Grenier, south of Armentières.

The 8th Battalion then moved via Watten, Houlie, St. Omer, Eecke and Dranoutre to Wulverghem and Berles-au-Bois, a short distance from the front line. In the months that followed the 8th Battalion did tours in the trenches, alternating with the 6th Leicesters who relieved them. They were involved in operations in Bailleul, Le Bizet, Armentières, Mondicourt, Beauval and Berles-au-Bois.

In April 1916 George moved with the 8th Leicesters to the Doullens area for six weeks cleaning up, resting and training. In mid-May they returned once more to the trenches in the Bienvillers-Bailleulmont sector, but nearer Gommecourt. In June there was a series of nightly excursions into No-Man's Land with patrols attempting to gather information on the enemy's dispositions. On other occasions there were working parties out repairing the British barbed wire entanglements. The situation became increasingly hazardous as the month wore on when the Germans began to use a new and more accurate type of trench mortar.

The 8th Battalion did not participate in the first days of the Somme Offensive but was held in reserve. On 6th July George's battalion left billets at Humbercamps and marched to Talmas, continuing on the following day to billets in Soues. On 10th July the battalion marched to Ailly-sur-Somme, entrained for Méricourt and travelled from there by lorry to bivouacs in Méaulte. Between 10th and 13th July the battalion was in the trenches near Fricourt and subjected to fairly continuous enemy fire.

On the 14th July the battalion was in action at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. After the battle the battalion withdrew to Ribemont and then to Méricourt, and having entrained for Saleux, marched to Soues. From Soues the battalion moved to Longeau, Gouy-en-Ternois, Lattre St. Quentin and then to Arras where they went into the trenches on 29th July. Casualty figures for the battalion in July had been high: 17 officers and 415 other ranks had been killed, wounded or were missing.

The battalion went into Divisional Reserve at Agnez-les-Ouisans on 8th August but went back into the trenches at Arras on 18th August where they were on the receiving end of trench mortar bombs and heavy shells until 2nd September. On being relieved the battalion marched to rest billets at Lignereuil. On 13th September they marched to Frevent and entrained for Dernancourt. On 15th they reached a point between Fricourt and Méaulte before proceeding to Trônes Wood on 16th.

From 17th-23rd September the battalion was in reserve and supporting the troops in the front line by providing carrying parties. In the evening of 24th September the battalion marched up to take their position ready for an attack but before they reached this point the men were heavily shelled by the enemy. Just after midday on 25th September the 8th Leicesters launched a successful attack in waves on the right of Flers and then pressed on to Gueudecourt. Considerable losses, however, were suffered in this action. On 19th September George, now promoted to Acting Lance Sergeant, was awarded the Military Medal.

From 25th-28th September the battalion took part in the Battle of Morval. At some point around this time George was wounded and brought back to England, where he remained for about five months while he recovered.

George returned to his battalion in France in late March or April 1917. In early April the battalion moved to Hamelincourt and occupied the Outpost Line on the Hénin-Croisilles road until 13th April, then transferred to Bailleulmont for training before going into support at St. Leger. On 3rd May the battalion took part in an attack on the village of Fontaine-lès-Croisilles where casualties were high. The 8th Battalion suffered 332 casualties and large numbers were taken Prisoners of War, including George. George, however, managed to escape and after living for a time on water and a packet of spearmint, eventually found his company again at Berles-au-Bois.

The battalion remained at Berles-au-Bois for musketry training and practice in tactical schemes, brigade sports and inspections until the end of May.

On 1st June the battalion marched to huts in Hamelincourt for additional training in bombing and rifle grenades and field exercises until 7th June. On the night of 7th/8th the battalion went into the trenches in the Hindenburg Line. From there they attacked the enemy on 15th June but were compelled to withdraw. They remained in the front line until 19th June when they returned to camp at Hamelincourt. A period of rest at Blairville then lasted until 1st July, after which the battalion returned to Hamelincourt. On 9th July 1917 the battalion was in the trenches near Croisilles before going into Brigade Reserve. After one more front line trench tour at Croisilles the battalion moved to Camp A at Moyenville for eight days training. Following this the battalion was in brigade Support in the forward area until 17th August when it moved to a hutment camp in Ervillers for training. On 25th August the battalion moved by motor bus to Barly and from there, on the following day, marched to Ambrines. Two further periods of training followed, firstly at Ambrines and then at Avesnes-le-Comte.

On 16th September the battalion marched to Savy, entrained for Caestre and went into camp for more training. On 23rd September the battalion began a series of moves, firstly to Meteren, then by bus to Hallebast before marching to Sint Hubertushoek and from there to Ridge Wood south-west of Ypres. On 30th September they moved up to the front line at Polygon Wood.

On 1st October the enemy attacked the 9th Leicesters who were nearby and got possession of their front line. The 8th Leicesters went to assist but the enemy made repeated attacks. Counter-attacks were hit by a heavy enemy barrage in the neighbourhood of Joist Farm. On the night of the 2nd/3rd October the battalion was relieved and marched to Scottish Wood Camp. On 4th October the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Leicesters were amalgamated because of their high casualty rate. On 5th October the combined battalion moved to railway dugouts at Zillebeke and on 7th they went into the front line. The weather was very wet, the men suffered severely in the open trenches and shell holes and on 8th and 9th October 53 Ordinary Ranks were killed or wounded.

Relieved on 11th October the battalion moved to Anzac Camp where the combined battalion was restored to two units. On 12th October the 8th Battalion entrained at Ouderdom station for Ebblinghem and marched to Le Croquet. From here three days later the battalion moved by motor lorry to the Gheluvelt area on the Menin Road for six days of cable trench digging. The men worked under heavy hostile barrages, moving to and from the area under shellfire. Between 17th and 22nd October 86 Ordinary Ranks were killed, wounded or went missing.

Five days at Camp A, Kruistraat crossroads, for reorganisation and training followed, after which the battalion went into Brigade Reserve in railway dugouts south-west of Zillebeke Lake to work on cable trenches. While moving into the front line on the night of 3rd/4th November the battalion suffered heavy casualties from a hostile gas shell bombardment and were withdrawn to Divisional Reserve at Camp A. Between 9th and 16th November the battalion completed another front line trench tour as well as four days in the support trenches at Zillebeke Bund. On 17th November they began a six-day march from Pioneer Camp near Scottish Wood to Coupigne for five days cleaning and reorganisation, and then marched to Monchy Breton.

On 30th November the battalion was suddenly ordered to entrain at Savy for Cambrai in order to reinforce the line there on account of a large scale German attack. From Courcelles on 1st December the battalion moved into the support line and into the front line on the following day. Four more trench tours took up most of December and in between tours the battalion concentrated on improving the village defences of Epehy with barbed wire entanglements. On 11th December 1917 George, now an Acting Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer 1) was Mentioned in Despatches.

From Epehy, on 4th January 1918, the battalion moved back to Middlesex Camp, Heudecourt, in Brigade Reserve. Between 11th and 20th January the battalion was in training at Haut Allaines and working on wiring and tunnelling at Saulcourt. Two more trench tours in bad weather when the sides of the trenches kept falling in completed the month.

February 1918 included trench tours at Epehy, ten days at Noislains for training, digging a fire trench near Gurlu Wood, work on new aerodromes at Cartigny and near Nurlu and digging the main line of defence near Pezière. In early March it became clear that the enemy was preparing for a large-scale attack. On 21st March the Germans opened their Spring Offensive, advancing in formation and accompanied by a bombardment of every description. The battalion, still in the neighbourhood of Epehy, suffered heavy casualties on the front line between 21st and 23rd March. On the night of the 23rd March the battalion moved into a position north-east of Cléry-sur-Somme but was forced into a further withdrawal on the following day when the enemy began an outflanking action. After moving to Bray-sur-Somme, Chipilly, and then Bresle, the nucleus of the battalion moved to the chateau at Vadencourt while the remainder operated in the Bray-Chipilly-Morlancourt-Ribemont area. By 31st March the entire battalion, which had suffered 415 casualties since 21st March, was at rest in Allonville.

On 1st April the battalion entrained at St. Roch station, near Amiens, for Hopoutre and proceeded by lorry to Monmouthshire Camp, near Dranoutre. Between 4th and 9th April they moved via Kemmel Shelters Camp, Curragh Camp near Westoutre and Ontario Camp near Reninghelst to Manawatu Camp near Zillebeke Lake. From 10th-13th April the battalion was in close reserve at Torr Top and Canada Tunnels before taking over the front and support lines for two days. On 15th they were ordered to withdraw to Forrester Camp near the Ypres-Kruistraakhoek road but when this was shelled, moved to the trenches. Between 18th April and the end of the month the battalion valiantly defended a line of posts, covering gaps wherever the enemy broke through.

The month of May began with a two-day break at Buysscheure for seven days of training, after which the battalion entrained at Wizernes for Serzy-Savigny. Training continued at Aougny and then at D Camp, Chalons de Vergeur near Bouvancourt. On 20th May the battalion went into the trenches east of the Aisne-Marne Canal between Cauroy and Cormicy. On 26th May the enemy began a heavy bombardment along the whole of the Aisne front and began penetrating the battalion's trenches.

DCM Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During critical periods of rearguard fighting he frequently exposed himself under very heavy shell and machine-gun fire, encouraging the men in their resistance. He showed supreme contempt untiring energy. '.

After the battle the battalion moved to Pourcy and then to the Forêt d'Epernay. In June 1918 the battalion moved to the Normandy coast of France for rest and recreation and was billeted in Dieppe. On 28th June the battalion was reduced to a training cadre. Its few remaining personnel were distributed to the other Leicestershire battalions except for some officers and NCOs who remained in charge of training. It returned to England on 7th July 1918. On 30th August 1918 George was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

George was demobbed on 4th March 1919. He married Margaret Lucy Neal in Shardlow in 1921 at St. Giles Church, Sandiacre, Derbyshire. George and Margaret had four children Gwendoline, Betty, Lionel and Malcolm. In 1939 the family was living at Long Eaton, Derbyshire, and George was employed as a railway signalman. George died on 10th November 1963, aged 66.

 

2nd Lieutenant Walter Frederick Birkin Lockwood DCM

 

Royal Engineers.

Previously 2571 and 400331 1/1st City of London Yeomanry

The London Gazette. Supplement 29602.
30 May 1916. p. 5413.

Walter Frederick Birkin Lockwood was born in Loughborough on 19th April 1890 and baptised at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, on 1st June 1890. He was the son of Walter Lockwood and his wife Elizabeth Ann (née Birkin) who were married at All Saints Church, Loughborough, on 30th March 1886. Walter Junior had two brothers Alec and John and three sisters Florence, Harriet and Aileen. In 1890 Walter Junior's father was a basket maker and the family lived at 78 Ashby Road, Loughborough. By 1901, however, his father had become manager at the Constitutional Club, 13-14 Baxtergate. On 29th December 1903 his father was initiated into the Howe and Charnwood Lodge of the Freemasons. Walter Junior's parents later lived at the Great Central Hotel in Loughborough before relocating to 37 Harrow Road and then 12 Cheapside, both in Leicester, when his father took a job as manager for a wine and spirit merchant.

Walter Junior was educated at the Higher Elementary School in Loughborough and was apprenticed at the Brush Works. In 1910 he took a job in Belgium as an inspector of rolling stock and remained there for four years.

Walter Junior enlisted while on a visit to his home in September 1914. He joined the 1/1st City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) as Private 2571 (later renumbered as 400331). He began training at Hounslow and then at Streatley, Berkshire, with the 2nd Mounted Division. In November 1914 the brigade moved to North Walsham, Norfolk.

The brigade moved to Egypt in April 1915 but Walter did not go with them. Walter was sent to Egypt on 11th September 1915 and soon afterwards transferred via Lemnos to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli in order to join the (now dismounted) 1/1st City of London Yeomanry.

For most of September and October 1915 the 1/1st City of London Yeomanry was working in the advanced or reserve trenches in the area of Chocolate Hill and being heavily shelled by the Turks. In early November the regiment was ordered to move to Lala Baba in preparation for being evacuated. Evacuation from Gallipoli took place in December 1915. The regiment returned to Egypt and moved to the Suez Canal Defences.

Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry in rescuing under rifle fire at short range a private who had become dismounted. Serjeant Lockwood put him on his own horse and galloped away with him.'

While Walter was with the troops guarding the Suez Canal an incident occurred which led to his being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He wrote to his parents as follows: 'We were reconnoitring in the desert when a sinister looking group of hills were sighted. As we approached the hills suddenly bristled with arms, and a heavy fire was directed on our small party of 16 men, and horses. In the resulting confusion several of our men lost their horses, and all we could do was to help these fellows on under heavy fire. For this I received my distinction, which is all the greater since we all ought to have been shot to pieces'. Walter was then promoted from Acting Corporal to Sergeant.



In around June 1916 Walter returned to England to train for a commission. He became a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) on 23rd December 1916 and was appointed to the Royal Engineers at Morfa Camp, Conway, Carnarvonshire. Troops practised at the camp's rifle range, carried out exercises on Conwy Mountain and the Great Orme, and had physical training instruction on the beach. The camp had some permanent buildings, such as mess huts and latrines. The soldiers were billeted in bell tents. The YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) provided a recreation marquee on the site.

Whether Walter remained at Morfa Camp in a training capacity until the end of the war or returned overseas with the Royal Engineers is unrecorded. On 23rd June 1918 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and a month or so later he married Vera Kate Sarson at All Saints Church, Deganwy, Carnarvonshire.

Walter and his wife had two children John and Sylvia. In 1939 the family was living at 19 King Edward Road, East Barnet, Hertfordshire, and Walter was an inspector and consulting engineer. After his wife died in 1966 Walter moved to 7 Dashhills, Watford Road, Radlett, Hertfordshire. Walter died on 6th August 1982, aged 92.
 

RSM 24003 Henry George Lovett MC DCM MiD

 

1/5th Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously numbered as 2428 and 6712. Also served with the 2/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment. 

(MC) The London Gazette. Supplement 31583.
3 October 1919. p. 12312.           

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 31219.
7 March 1919. p. 3243.

(MiD) The London Gazette. 11 December 1917.
               


DCM Citation

'For the past year he has been R.S.M., He has throughout shown great keenness, courage and initiative, particularly in organising the supply of ammunition in difficult circumstances and under fire. His service in this respect was worthy of special praise during the recent advance at Richebourg. Prior to his appointment as R.S.M. he served for six months as C.S.M., being seriously wounded in 1915 at the Hohenzollern Redoubt, an action in which he took command of his company with great gallantry when all the officers became casualties'.
MC Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and good work during the operations on 11th October 1918, at the Bois de Riquerval. He rendered very valuable service to his commanding officer throughout some fourteen hours continuous fighting. On more than one occasion he reorganised men of different units and held on to a position gained under heavy fire. Throughout the operation he rendered good service'.


Sergeant 255255 George Mitchell DCM

 

1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry. 

Previously served as 2176 

The London Gazette. Supplement 29508.
14 March 1916. p. 2891.

George Mitchell was born in Loughborough on 27th February 1890 and baptised at Emmanuel Church on 11th May 1890. He was the son of George Mitchell and his wife Elizabeth Rastall Mitchell (née Spires) who were married at All Saints Church, Loughborough, on Christmas Eve 1884. George Junior had two brothers Charles and John and one sister Alice.

George Mitchell Senior was a dyer's labourer and from 1890 to 1917 the Mitchell family lived at 8 Union Street, Loughborough. George Mitchell Senior died in 1900, aged 37. George Junior was a member of St. Peter's Church Lads' Brigade and was also connected with the Emmanuel Brigade. In 1911 George Junior, aged 21, was a hot water fitter for Messenger and Company's horticultural engineering works, Loughborough

In 1906 George Junior had joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry for four years and he rejoined in September 1914, soon after the Yeomanry was mobilised. As Trooper 2176 (later renumbered as 255255) he was sent to Palgrave, Suffolk, until 1st November 1914. On 2nd November they entrained at Diss with the horses and travelled to Southampton Docks. They sailed for France, arriving at Le Havre the following day, and proceeded to No. 2 Rest Camp. On 4th November they entrained for St. Omer and marched to Esquerdes where they remained for four days to carry out bayonet and entrenching exercises.

On 11th November they marched to Eecke to join the 3rd Cavalry Division and on the following day proceeded via Poperinghe to Bellewaarde Farm on the Hooge Road east of Ypres. Here they joined the 7th Cavalry Brigade and were sent to the support and reserve trenches. On 16th they moved to billets in Ypres where they were heavily shelled. From 17th - 21st November A and C Squadrons were in the advance, support and reserve trenches east of Zillebeeke and B Squadron was in dugouts near the Menin-Ypres road. From 22nd November to 4th December they were at St. Sylvestre near Caestre refitting and exercising while being on duty in General reserve.

On 3rd December they paraded with the 7th Cavalry Brigade for an inspection by His Majesty the King. From 7th -17th December they were based at Oxlaere and then Berthen for drill and entrenching practice while again being in General reserve. On 18th December they moved to an area south of Hondeghem and the Caestre road. Here classes for reserve stretcher bearers and machine gunners took place. On 22nd December they moved to La Brearde where they remained until 2nd February 1915 for training in an advanced guard scheme, hand grenade and entrenching instruction, route marches and inspections.

On 3rd February they were transported by bus to Ypres and marched to Zillebeke where they took over the front line trenches. They spent several days draining and improving the trenches amid enemy sniping. Relieved on 8th February they moved to billets in Ypres as part of the General reserve. On 11th February there was heavy shelling near their billets and on the following day they moved by bus back to La Brearde. Training took place there until 11th April.

On 12th April they moved to Renescure and on 23rd April marched via Abeele to Godewaersvelde. On 24th they proceeded to Vlamertinghe before moving at night to Reninghelst. On 25th and 26th April they moved via Poperinghe and Watou to Forge, where they left the horses, and returned to Vlamertinghe. On 27th they were shelled out of their huts and bivouacked in a field. On 28th they moved to Abeele and over the next three days met up with the Brigade at Forge.

In early May they left the horses at Vlamertinghe and marched to Hazebrouck before going by bus to Brielen near Ypres. On 12th May, as dismounted infantry, they took over the trenches north of the railway near Bellewaarde Farm and immediately became involved in the Battle of Frezenberg Ridge (otherwise called the 2nd Battle of Ypres). During this battle on 12th and 13th May the Leicestershire Yeomanry suffered 186 casualties.

On 14th May they moved to dugouts at Brielen and on 15th May to Vlamertinghe where they stood to in readiness until 21st May. On 21st may they moved to Hazebrouck and spent a week exercising the horses. On 28th May they proceeded to Wittes, followed by two days of trench work while based in dugouts on the ramparts at Ypres. They then returned to Wittes.

Throughout June and July 1915 the Yeomanry remained in Wittes, providing working parties for digging trenches at Neuve Eglise, Sailly-sur-la-Lys and Elverdinghe. On 6th August they moved to new billets in villages near Hervarre while they dug trenches at Armentières. In September 1915 George was admitted to the 4th Stationary Hospital in St. Omer suffering from scabies. He was discharged on 18th September. On 29th September the regiment moved on to Le Nieppe and in October to Noordpeene and then Fruges. Early November was spent digging trenches at Lynde, Ouderdom, Zillebeeke lake and north of Bielen. From there they moved to Wicquinghem on November 16th and dug trenches at Ebblinghem and Lynde. The regiment remained at Wicquinghem until 14th March 1916.

Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry in holding a sap against a heavy bomb attack. On another occasion he reconnoitred a crater close to the enemy's trenches and brought back accurate information.'
On 14th March 1916 George, now a Corporal, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was later promoted to Sergeant.

From 15th March until 6th May 1916 the Leicestershire Yeomanry was in billets at Herly and Rollez before moving to Bourthes. In May George was invalided home, having contracted rheumatism in the trenches, but he was able to rejoin his regiment at the front in Bourthes on 12th or 13th June 1916.

Between 24th June and 4th July the regiment transferred via Crécy-en-Ponthieu, Berteaucourt-les-Dames and Corbie to Fontaine-sur-Somme, where on 5th July they were sent to clear the battlefield. From 8th July to 1st August and back at Corbie they provided working parties to mend the roads at Henencourt and to clear the battlefield at Bécourt. The first five days of August were spent moving back to Bourthes where they remained until 11th September, providing working parties and sniping parties. From 11th September the regiment was continually on the march, which ended when squadrons moved into billets at Lebiez, Torcy and Rimboval in the Pas de Calais on 24th September. Here a group of 8 Officers and 256 Ordinary Ranks proceeded to form part of the 7th Cavalry Pioneer Battalion.

They did not move again until 1st February 1917 when they went into new billets at Merlimont Plage, on the Channel coast south-west of Etaples, where they spent until the beginning of April training men and horses and trialling the comparative effects of rifle and Hotchkiss machine gun fire. Between 4th and 19th April they marched to Arras and then on to Estruval (Somme). Between 12th and 24th May they proceeded to the area east of Epehy. At the beginning of June, at Buire, they provided trench parties in the outpost and support lines of the front.

On 22nd June 1917 the Germans attempted a raid, causing some casualties. On 24th June the regiment moved to the support lines south-east of Epehy to carry out night work. From 28th June to 2nd July they bivouacked at Buire before a five-day march via Suzanne, Heilly, Amplier and Estrée-Wamin to Savy. One week later they marched to Guarbecque where they remained until 1st September. For part of the period from 8th July to 1st September a dismounted party was south of Vlamertinghe and employed making gun emplacements, on light railway work, building casualty clearing stations and burying German dead.

In August 1917 George was granted a period of leave and he was married to Ellen Louisa Kirk at St. Mary's Church, Loughborough. A few days later the Mayor of Loughborough, Councillor Walter W. Coltman, publicly decorated Trooper George Mitchell, on the steps of the Town Hall, with the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
               




A local newspaper reported on the occasion as follows: 'According to the official news, Sergeant Mitchell won his DCM in January of last year at Vermelles, for gallantry in repelling a heavy bombing attack, and for reconnoitring a crater close to the enemy's trenches and bringing back correct information. The Mayor, who wore his chain of office, said that acting on instructions sent down from the War Office that all medals and decorations must now be given in public, he had arranged for that presentation. Of course, as they knew, all soldiers on occasions like that were of a very retiring disposition, but he felt all would agree that it was only on occasions like that, for our soldiers were never so when facing the foe. They of Loughborough were very proud of Sergeant Mitchell's achievement, and although he (the Mayor) had had two Military Medals sent down to him for decoration, that was the first time that he had to present a Distinguished Conduct Medal to anyone. They were perfectly sure that before earning that decoration, Sergeant Mitchell had done his very best, and he had not only proved himself by becoming a recipient of that decoration, a most courageous soldier, which he had shown by his bravery in the field in the face of the enemy, but he had during his present leave shown it by getting married the previous week. [Laughter.] His Worship wished Sergeant, and Mrs. Mitchell much happiness in the future, and congratulated them, after which he pinned the Medal on the recipient's breast. Sergeant Mitchell thanked the Mayor for presenting the medal, and the company for the manner they had received him.'

From 2nd to 9th September the regiment was at Diéval before moving to Merville and then on 24th October to the Berneuil area. During late November the regiment marched to Bray-sur-Somme, Villers Bocage and Montonvillers, twice being required to 'stand-to' for a forward move.

At the beginning of December the dismounted company proceeded in buses to join the 8th Dismounted Brigade while the rest of the regiment moved to Crouy. On 10th December eighty riding horses were sent to Marseilles for transport to Egypt. At the end of December the regiment, less the dismounted party, moved to Berteaucourt-les-Dames, Bethencourt and St. Ouen.

In January 1918 the dismounted party was in the line east of Le Verguier until 14th of the month. On 27th and 28th January the whole regiment moved to Montecourt where they remained until the end of February and provided working parties at Coulaincourt. The 8th Cavalry Brigade now concentrated at Trefcon. On 26th March the regiment moved to Bettencourt Rivière and subsequently to Long.

On 4th April 1918 the regiment was split up, one squadron going each to the 4th Hussars and the 5th and 16th Lancers, all in 3rd Cavalry Brigade in the 2nd Cavalry Division. George was discharged with a pension on 5th April 1918 because of disability. George and his wife had at least one daughter Eileen and possibly more children.

In 1939 George and his wife were living at 29 Curzon Street, Loughborough, and George was employed as a college commissionaire. When and where George died is unknown.


  

Lieutenant William Norman DCM MM MiD

 

1st, 3rd and 1/5th Bns Leicestershire Regiment.

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30204. 24 July 1917. p. 7658.

(MM) The London Gazette Supplement 29805. 27 October 1916. p. 10482.

(MiD) The London Gazette Supplement 30086. 22 May 1917. p. 5030.

 

William Norman was born in Loughborough in 1875 and baptised at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, on 19th September 1875. He was the son of Thomas Norman and his wife Ann (née Brooks) who were married on 17th September 1866 at All Saints Church, Loughborough. William had one brother James and three sisters Sarah, Florence and Emma.

William’s father was initially a sorter of hosiery goods but subsequently became a labourer in a bleach works and his mother was a laundress. In 1881 the family lived at 16 Mills Yard, Loughborough but by 1891 had moved to 8 Cobden Street. In 1901 and 1911 William’s parents and unmarried sister Florence were living at 37 Forster Street, Nottingham. His mother died in 1911 and his father in 1920.

In 1891 William, aged 14, was employed as an errand boy but he then vanishes from official records until the First World War. Although his early service papers have not survived his service number of Private 7645 in the Leicestershire Regiment indicates that he enlisted in late 1904 or early 1905. He may have been a Reservist when war broke out and would have been recalled if that were the case. It was probably at this time that William joined the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, a training unit.

William was sent to France to join the 1st Battalion of the Leicesters on 4th January 1915. In the spring of 1915 the 1st Leicesters were stationed near Armentières, and were involved in an attack intended to divert the enemy from the area of Neuve Chapelle. In April the battalion was alternating trench tours in the area of Rue du Bois with breaks in billets in Armentières.

In late May the battalion was ordered to move north to the Ypres Salient where they relieved the 1st Hampshire Regiment on the Wieltje-Ypres Road-Roosebeke Road and heavy casualties were incurred. In June and July 1915 they were fighting at Hooge, capturing a number of enemy trenches. Following this they were withdrawn to the ramparts at Ypres near the Menin Gate. In September the battalion occupied the front line near Wieltje and was subjected to a most intense enemy bombardment. Between October and December the battalion was either occupying trenches in the Potijze sector or trying to get rest and shelter by the canal bank near Ypres. The battalion remained on the Ypres Salient until July 1916.

On 1st August 1916 they left the trenches at Potizje and entrained at Proven for France. They reached billets at Lealvillers, Somme, on 4th August and on the following day marched to camp in Mailly-Maillet Wood. A period of training and working parties followed. On 14th August they went into the trenches opposite Beaumont-Hamel, where they remained until 19th when they returned to the Mailly Wood camp. On 27th August they left for Flesselles. Here additional training took place.

On 8th September the battalion occupied former German trenches in the area of Trônes Wood on the northern slope of the Montaubon Ridge while in the following days the build-up for a major battle, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, took place. The battle began on 15th September and lasted seven days and the battalion incurred grievous losses. The battalion was also in action in the Battle of Morval (25th-28th September). During part of the Battle of Le Transloy (1st October-5th November 1916) the 1st Leicesters were employed carrying up stores and providing stretcher and other parties for the front line troops.

By 21st October the battalion was back in billets at Corbie where it entrained three days later for Sorel before moving over several days to Fouquières-les-Béthune in the La Bassée sector. On 27th October 1916 William, now a Sergeant, was awarded the Military Medal.

Most of November was spent in training with one brief trench tour and December in the trenches at Cuinchy, with breaks at Beuvry and Christmas Day at Noeux-les-Mines.

January 1917 was spent in turns in the trenches and at rest in Mazingarbe. From 1st to 21st February many raids on the enemy were carried out after which the battalion marched via Sailly Labourse to the Montmorency Barracks at Béthune. In January or early February William, now a Company Sergeant Major, returned to England to train for a commission.

DCM Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed great courage and determination during an assault, encouraging his men and keeping them together. He carried a wounded man back under very heavy fire, and he has many times been recommended for his gallant conduct under trying circumstances.'

On 22nd May 1917 William was Mentioned in Despatches and on 26th July 1917 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

William received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on 21st August 1917 and on 25th August he joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicesters in the trenches near Noyelles. The end of August was spent at Philosophe, providing carrying parties.

During September, October and early November 1917 the battalion completed six trench tours at St. Elie, with breaks at Fouquières and Philosophe. During one tour the battalion was visited by a Mr. Wilkes of the Leicester Mail, 'attired in a grey suit, steel helmet and box respirator'. On 15th October William was firing rifle grenades from 'Hairpin' craters, when he received one in reply, and had to go to England to have one or two pieces in him removed. William is not mentioned in the battalion’s diary after this date and it is possible that he did not return to France.

In 1918 William became the Physical Training Officer of the Special Reserve Battalion, for whom he also played rugby. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 25th February 1919.

William returned to live in Loughborough, firstly at 13 Boyer Street and then in 1921 at 39 Paget Street.

William ceased to be a member of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers (RARO) on account of old age on 9th February 1939. His date and place of death are unknown.
 

Second Lieutenant Alfred John Parr DCM

 

59th Bn. Australian Light Infantry. A.I.F.                                                                       

Died of Wounds 1st October 1918,  Aged 24.            

The London Gazette. Supplement 30879.
30 August 1918. p. 10373.

 

 


Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.

During our attack the services rendered by this NCO were most valuable; he kept his platoon well in hand, and afforded every information to his Company officer as to the needs of the situation. He led an attack on and captured an enemy machine gun that was causing casualties, and near the final objective, with a bombing party, he captured another machine gun and two officers and fifty men. He showed great courage throughout and set a fine example to his men.
'

 


Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.


CSM 9364 Herbert James Routledge DCM MM

 

9th Bn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

Previously 1st Bn.

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 31011. 15 November 1918. p. 13452.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30962. 18 October 1918. p. 12415.

             

Herbert James Routledge was born in Battersea, Surrey, on Christmas Eve 1889. He was the son of Arthur Edward Routledge and his wife Grace Ann Green (née Perkins) who were married on 21st December 1884 at St. Mary's Church, Lambeth, Surrey. Herbert had three brothers William, Reginald and John (known as 'Jack') and four sisters Mabel, Maud, Dorothy and Alice. Three other siblings Ethel, Charles and Walter died in infancy.

Herbert's father was an engineer's pattern maker and in 1891 the family lived at 17 Ingram Street, Battersea. By 1894 they had moved to Loughborough and in 1901 were living at 43 Ratcliffe Road. Herbert's parents later moved to 12 Ratcliffe Road.

In May or June 1907 Herbert enlisted with the Army. He joined the 1st Battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry as Private 9364 and was sent to Aldershot. His service papers have unfortunately not survived but in 1911 he was known to be in Hong Kong with the battalion. Having completed six years' service Herbert then appears to have become part of the Army Reserve. Herbert occasionally played centre for the Wednesday Football Club.

When war broke out Herbert would have been recalled. He rejoined the 1st Battalion at Harwich on its return from Singapore in November 1914. On 17th December 1914 the battalion moved to Hursley Park, Winchester. On 15th January 1915 the battalion marched to Southampton Docks and embarked on the SS Benares. After arriving at Le Havre on the following day they entrained for Hazebrouck and marched to billets in Outtersteene. On 1st February they marched to Meteren, travelled by bus to Vlamertinghe, and then took over trenches on each side of La Bassée Canal.

During February the battalion completed three trench tours, with breaks at Ouderdom. During March the battalion was in support at Lindenhoek and took part in an attack on 12th March. A further trench tour also brought them under heavy enemy fire. Breaks were taken at St. Jan Capelle and at Aldershot Camp west of Neuve Eglise.

On 2nd April the battalion marched to billets at Boeschepe and on 9th April moved to billets at the Lunatic Asylum, Ypres. On 12th April they went into the trenches in a very wooded area south of Zonebeke. On 22nd April, the first day of the 2nd Battle of Ypres, these trenches were attacked by the enemy and on the following days the surrounding woods were heavily shelled. At the end of April and the beginning of May the battalion dug a new trench on Frezenberg Ridge and constructed dugouts behind the line. On 8th May the battalion was again shelled in the trenches.

On 9th May the battalion was relieved and by 14th May was billeted in farms near Winnezeele for a week's drill and inspections. On 22nd May the battalion went into the trenches at Sanctuary Wood, south-east of Ypres and remained there, coming under enemy fire, until 2nd June. On 3rd June the battalion marched to huts on the Vlamertinghe-Ouderdom road and then to billets at Winnezeele for a week's practice in trench digging and erecting barbed wire entanglements. Three further days of training at huts on the Zevecoten-La Clytte road followed before the battalion moved to Kemmel.

Between 23rd June and 17th September the battalion carried out trench tours with breaks at La Clytte and Scherpenberg. Between 23rd and 27th September the battalion marched to Outtersteene and then to Robecq and embussed for Noyelles-les-Vermelles. They then occupied the trenches on the Vermelles road until 1st October. On 4th October A and D Coys were ordered to attack the Hohenzollern Redoubt, but only got half-way when they were practically wiped out by machine gun fire.

Relieved on the 5th October the rest of the battalion marched to Annequin and then to Gonnehem for training until 14th October. After one further trench tour near Le Quesnoy and a break at Cense-la-Vallée the battalion entrained at Fouquereil for Marseilles on 23rd October. On 25th October they embarked on the SS Kyasa and sailed for Egypt, arriving at Alexandria on 31st October.

After one month spent refitting and resting the battalion was sent to Salonika, disembarking there on 14th December. The battalion was employed digging the Salonika Defence Line, making roads and undertaking a small amount of training until 1st June 1916. They then moved up country making roads and took over the defence line in the Struma Valley on 15th July. The battalion was then engaged in operations on the Struma Plain until 26th November, including the capture of Barakli Dzuma in October. On 29th November the battalion relieved the Italian Division and remained on duty until 29th April 1917. From 30th April -7th June 1917 the battalion was in the Doiran sector and returned to the Struma on 19th August. The battalion stayed there until leaving the country on 1st July 1918 and moving to France, arriving on 16th July. While in Salonika the battalion suffered heavily from malaria and was rarely at full strength.

It is possible that it was after the move to France in July 1918 that Herbert was transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He had now risen through the ranks and was a Warrant Officer Class II, being accorded the title of Company Sergeant Major.

In late July 1918 the 9th Battalion was training at Puchvillers before going into the trenches at Mailly-Maillet where they came under heavy gas shelling from the enemy. On 14th August the battalion began to push forward to Beaumont Hamel but their advance was checked by a heavy enemy bombardment, snipers and machine gun fire. After four days refitting and training at Raincheval the battalion moved to a position on the Beaussart-Pusieux road and was ordered to attack the other side of the River Ancre. The battalion continued to advance to a position north-west of Le Sars and there were now signs that the enemy was on the retreat.

By 7th September the battalion was ordered to cross the Canal du Nord. In mid-September there was some sharp fighting and heavy shelling but by 24th September the battalion reached Etricourt. On 5th October the battalion crossed the St. Quentin Canal and moved into Banteux. On 7th and 8th October they made a very successful attack on the Beaurevoir Line. A further attack on the enemy took place at Vendegie and Bois du Nord on 23rd and 24th October and in spite of strong enemy resistance both places were eventually taken. On 7th November Limont-Fontaine and Eclaises were cleared of the enemy.
DCM Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an advance. Under heavy fire he led his platoon straight on to the objective and although he was three times blown over by shell bursts and much shaken he continued to lead his platoon, and captured some machine gun posts. Next day he assisted materially in beating off a counter-attack on his battalion's position. Throughout he set a splendid example to his men.'


The battalion was in Limont-Fontaine when the Armistice was declared. In mid-December they moved to Seux and carried out salvage work until demobilisation began in late January 1919.

Herbert was awarded the Military Medal in October 1918 and the Distinguished Conduct Medal in November 1918. Herbert's brother William served with the Leicestershire Regiment and was killed in action in 1914.

When the war ended Herbert remained with the Army. On 21st April 1919 he married Elsie Mary Bright at St. Barnabas' Church, Leicester. In 1924 Herbert and Elsie were living in the military barracks at Wakefield Road, Pontefract, Yorkshire, and in 1928 at Blackdown Barracks, Frimley, Surrey. They had one daughter Elsie born in 1925. By 1939 they had moved to 17 Greystones Rise, Sheffield, and Herbert, who had now left the Army, was employed as a commissionaire. Herbert died, aged 56, on 7th June 1941 in Sheffield.

Sergeant 11701 William Henry Sparks DCM MM & Bar

 

7th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30879.
30 August 1918. p. 10348.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 29893.
5 January 1917. p. 348.

(MM Bar) The London Gazette. Supplement 30172.
6 July 1917. p. 6825.

William Henry Sparks was born in Stourbridge, Worcestershire, on 10th April 1896. He was the only child of Thomas Sparks and his partner Mary Ann Mitchell (later known as Mary Ann Sparks). In 1901 the family lived at Illey, Worcestershire, and William's father was a heavy ganger. By 1911 the family had moved to 22 Edward Street, Loughborough, and William's father was employed as a traction engine driver.

In 1911 William, aged 14, worked in the tool room of Herbert Morris, Ltd, crane manufacturer, Loughborough. He was a member of the Church Lads Brigade and Miss Cayless' Emmanuel Bible Class. He was also interested in sport and played for the old Emmanuel Football Club.

William's service record has not survived but he is known to have enlisted in August 1914. He joined the 7th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 11701. On enlistment he was sent to Aldershot, Hampshire, for training.

In April 1915 the 7th Battalion became part of the 37th Division of the Army and concentrated at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. On 25th June the 37th Division was inspected by King George V at Sidbury Hill. On 29th July 1915 they received orders to proceed to France.

William's battalion firstly gathered with the 37th Division at Tilques, near St. Omer. In September the battalion was sent to the area of Berles-au-Bois, south-west of Arras. The battalion remained in this area around Bienvillers and Bailleulmont until April 1916 and was engaged in localised operations seeking a tactical advantage. When not in the trenches being subjected to enemy shelling the 7th Leicesters received intensive training in bombing, Lewis gunnery, visual signalling and a host of other activities.

In April 1916 they were moved to the Doullens area and formed working parties to cut down trees and prepare brushwood for the front line as well as preparing the support trenches in the area. In May they worked on building a new railway line between Le Bret and Bienvillers-au-Bois. Towards the end of May the battalion returned to the trenches in the Bienvillers-Bailleulmont area.

At the beginning of July the 7th Battalion moved on to the Somme. They were at Fricourt on 13th July and at Mametz Wood and in the attack on Bazentin-le-Petit on 14th July. The battalion suffered 553 casualties on the Somme and between 29th July 1916 and the end of August 1917 the battalion received regular drafts of reinforcements.

On 6th August 1916 the 7th Battalion took over a section of battered trenches at Agnez-lès-Duisans, near Arras. After ten days training at Denier and Sars-le-Bois the battalion entrained for the Somme on 12th September and bivouacked outside Montauban north-east of Bernafay Wood. On 25th September they fought very bravely and successfully at Gueudecourt in an action which was part of the Battle of Morval.

On 4th October the battalion entrained once more for the north and the countryside of Loos, taking over positions opposite the Hohenzollern Redoubt with rest billets at Mazingarbe, Philosophe, or Vermelles. Training at Cauchy-à-la-Tour and Houtkerque followed until 12th February 1917. William was now a Signalling Sergeant.

On 13th February the battalion entrained at Proven for Fouquerieul and marched to billets in the tobacco factory in Béthune. Moving on to Labourse they were back in the trenches in the Hohenzollern sector on 15th February, moving up to the front line on 21st February. Breaks from the trenches were taken in Noyelles. In March 1917 the battalion experienced what one soldier called 'the bombardment of our lives'.

On 29th March the battalion entrained at Noyelles for Saulty-l'Arbret and marched to La Cauchie and on to Moyenville. On 4th April the battalion went into the front line at St. Leger Croisilles, with breaks at Moyenville. From 15th to 23rd April the battalion was in training at Bailleulval before returning to the trenches at St. Leger Croisilles. On 28th April the battalion was in action at the Battle of Arleux and on 3rd May in reserve for the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt, moving into the front line on 4th May. From 4th -11th May the battalion suffered from very heavy enemy shelling. From 12th-31st May the battalion was withdrawn for training at Bienvillers. In May William earned a Bar to the Military Medal he had been awarded for his courage on the Somme in 1916. 

Further training and trench tours followed in the Moyenville area in June, July and August, followed by a break in Hamelincourt. On 25th and 26th August the battalion marched to Gouy-en-Artois and then Beaufort for training. After a further move to Hauteville for more training and a football tournament and boxing competition, both of which the 7th Leicesters won, on 16th September the battalion entrained at Savy station for Caestre.

On 23rd September the battalion marched to Berthen. On 26th September they moved by bus to Scottish Wood and then to Bedford House as reserve in the forward area. After two days rest at Micmac Camp the battalion was back in the forward area on 29th. The 3rd Battle of Ypres had been raging for two months and the ground was full of water-logged shell holes, which had to be negotiated over duckboards. The 7th Leicesters joined the battle on the night of the 30th September, marching up to Polygon Wood, which had been captured by the Australians. The 9th Leicesters took over positions in the right half of the Polygon sector just outside the wood with the 7th Battalion behind them in support and the 6th Leicesters in reserve.

On 1st October the enemy began a heavy barrage. The Leicesters nevertheless pushed forward. An intense artillery duel followed on 2nd October before the battalion was relieved and marched south-east of Zillebeke Lake to Wiltshire Farm. On 4th October the battalion moved up again to south of Zillebeke Lake, bivouacking there. On the following day they were back in the support line west of Polygon Wood. On 6th October two companies moved up to the front line at Reutel, with the other two companies in support. On 10th October, amid a hostile barrage, the battalion was relieved and moved to Anzac Camp. On the 11th October they entrained at Ouderdom station for Ebblinghem and marched to billets in La Carnois. After four days rest they marched to Les Ciseaux and were taken by bus to dugouts in the railway embankments at Shrapnel Corner. After remaining there until 24th October they moved to B Camp at Chateau Segard for reorganisation and training.

After three days cable laying at Clapham Junction at the beginning of November the battalion returned to B Camp before moving to dugouts on the Zillebeke Bund on 7th November and to the front line on the following day. After returning to A Camp at Chateau Segard on 13th November the battalion moved on to Devonshire Camp in the Reninghelst area and on 17th began a five day transfer by march to Coupigny. On 25th November they moved again to Frevillers for training. On 30th November the battalion received urgent orders to entrain at Savy for Tincourt.

On 1st December 1917 the battalion went into the front and support lines near Tincourt, moving into the support trenches at Epehy on 4th. Back in the front line from the 8th-11th December the battalion installed wiring, improved trenches and dug a new front line. After a break at Villers-Faucon they returned to the front line from 16th-20th. On Christmas Eve the battalion returned to the trenches for four days but were given their Christmas dinner at Saulcourt on 29th December.

The new year of 1918 began with a four day trench tour, followed by training at Liéramont and Haut Allaines until 19th January. On the 20th the battalion moved to Epehy by light railway and began another trench tour before moving into Brigade Reserve at Saulcourt on 28th. On 4th February the battalion moved into support at Epehy. Relieved on 7th February the battalion moved by light railway to Moislains, where training took place until 18th February. The battalion then moved to B Camp, Templeux la Fosse, and worked on the trenches and railway at Flamincourt. From 24th -28th February the battalion was based at Adrian Camp, Villers-Faucon, for wiring work and trench digging.

In March it became clear that the Germans were planning a Spring Offensive. On the morning of the enemy assault, 21st March 1918, the 7th Battalion was holding the left hand portion of the front between Pezières and Epehy village when it was attacked by German stormtroopers. The battle for Epehy raged all day. On 22nd March the battalion was ordered to retreat towards the old Somme battlefield of 1916, crossing the Peronne Canal to Aizecourt-le-Bas and Feuillaucourt and taking up position on a ridge to the north of Hem.

On 2nd April the battalion marched to Dranoutre and entrained at St. Roch station, Amiens, posted once more to the Ypres Salient. They proceeded by lorry to Monmouthshire Camp, moving on to Butterfly and Leeds Camps, La Clytte, Chipawa and Scottish Wood Camps and arriving at Manawatu Camp on 11th. On 12th April the battalion went into the trenches, holding the front, reserve and support lines until 17th April during the second major German offensive which had opened on the Lys. In spite of a heavy German attack the battalion held out until relieved on 1st May. Having been withdrawn to Oost Houck they marched to Wizernes on 4th May and entrained for Labery where training took place until 12th May.

On 14th May the battalion marched via Prouilly to the trenches west of Hermonville in the valley of the River Aisne. On 26th May the battalion entered the 2nd Battle of the Aisne, part of the Nivelle Offensive, a Franco-British attempt to inflict a decisive defeat on the German armies in France. On 27th May the battalion was outflanked and ordered to withdraw to high ground east of Prouilly and then to the south bank of the River Vesle. After an increase in hostile shelling on 29th May the withdrawal continued to Mery Premecy, Pourcy, and St. Martin d'Ablois. The battalion then bivouacked in the Forêt d'Epernay before marching to Etrechy.

On 3rd June most of the battalion moved to Courjeonnet, with a small group proceeding to Igny-le-Jard. Between 9th and 14th June the battalion was training at Moeurs before entraining at Sommesous for Hangest-sur-Somme and travelling by bus to Framicourt. Training continued at Framicourt and at Monchy-sur-Eu until the end of June.

On 1st July the battalion entrained at Eu for Puchvillers and marched to Arqueves for further training until 17th July. The rest of July was spent training at Acheux Wood and on a trench tour at Englebelmer. At the end of July 170 Ordinary Ranks and 3 Officers were affected by temporary blindness and sickness.

By 4th August there were signs of an enemy withdrawal from Albert and Aveluy Wood. The battalion gradually moved forward and on 28th August crossed over the River Ancre. On 2nd September the battalion attacked the sugar factory at Beaulencourt but were driven back. After a break at Sailly-Saillisel and Manancourt the battalion supported an attack on Heudicourt on 9th September and another attack near Villers-Guislan on 18th September. On 25th September the battalion went into the trenches south of Gouzeaucourt. On the last day of September they pushed forward to the canal only to find that all bridges had been destroyed.

At the beginning of October the battalion was in the support line opposite Banteux and on 7th October moved up in preparation for an attack on the Beaurevoir line on 8th October. After the attack the battalion moved to Sunken Road and then to billets at Caullery for training until 21st October. On 22nd October they moved to Nevilly and launched an attack on the enemy on the following day. On 24th they moved forward to the area of Poix-du-Nord and after a short break went into the line there on 29th October. Here they were heavily shelled.

On 4th November the battalion proceeded to Futoy and on 5th November supported an attack on Berlamont. The attack continued over the next two days. The battalion was in billets at Berlamont when the Armistice was declared. The men subsequently marched to Ferrières where they remained on training until the end of December. Education courses were provided in January 1919 and the battalion also was employed on salvage work.

DCM Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as signal serjeant. His fine example to the men under him caused telephone communication to be maintained under very trying conditions for two days with brigade and battalion headquarters. He frequently carried messages, under machine-gun fire, to battalion headquarters.'
MM Bar Citation

'On May 3rd Sergeant Sparks, showed great dash, courage, and devotion to duty in going forward through a heavy barrage of fire whilst an attack was in progress, and when the attack got held up, got communication and maintained it for a considerable time.'


William was demobbed on 12th February 1919. His father had died the previous summer in Loughborough. William was presented with his Distinguished Conduct Medal and a Bar to his Military Medal by the Mayor and Mayoress of Loughborough.

On 7th June 1919 William was married to Beatrice Allen at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. William and Beatrice set up home at 26 Swingbridge Road, Loughborough, with William's mother and by 1937 had three children Irene, Doreen and Thomas. By 1939 William was an inspector of cranes and lifting gear for Morris Cranes. William died in December 1958 in Loughborough, thirteen years after his mother.

   

Private 64718 Jess Taylor DCM



Lincolnshire Regiment.

Previously 8569 Leicestershire Regiment and 18871 and 19971 Lincolnshire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29074. 18 February 1915. p 1705.

Jess Taylor was born on 5th September 1888 in Frisby, Leicestershire, and named (in shortened form) after his paternal grandfather Jessiah Taylor. He was baptised on 16th November 1894 at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. Jess was the son of Frank Taylor and his wife Mary (née Wathall) who were married in the Shardlow registration district in 1879.

Jess had three brothers Thomas, Frank and John and four sisters Gertrude, Susan, Elizabeth and Emma. Jess's father was an agricultural labourer and horseman and in 1891 the family was living at 14-15 Sparrow Hill, Loughborough. Three years later they had moved to 15 Buckhorn Square. In 1898 Jess's father died and his mother moved the family to 46 Rendell Street. In 1911 Jess's mother and sister Susan were living at 26 Albert Promenade.

Jess's service record has not survived but his first service number indicates that he enlisted with the Army in early 1909. He initially joined the 2nd Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 8569 and was with the battalion at Ranikhet in India when war broke out. The battalion was then ordered to proceed to France and left Karachi on 21st September. They reached Marseilles on 12th October 1914 and transferred via Orleans, Lillers and Calonne-Ricouart to the frontline trenches near La Bassée. For the next month they came under continued shellfire, bombing and sniping from the enemy but, nevertheless, continued to strengthen the trenches.

On 24th November, just after the battalion had finished the first spell in the trenches, two platoons of about 50 men including Jess and half a dozen officers marched back to the firing line, not knowing what was required. They then commenced an attack on a German trench, upon which several unsuccessful attempts had been made, and eventually were successful, although suffering heavy casualties. The officers who were in front were the first to be shot and Jess who was just behind his Captain when he fell, was the first man to get into the trench which was held until the arrival of reinforcements. Jess and four of the men who returned received the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

In 1915 the 2nd Battalion of the Leicesters took part in the battles of Neuve Chapelle (10th-13th March) and Aubers Ridge (9th May) and an additional night attack on 15th May, the first day of the Battle of Festubert. The battalion spent the next couple of months alternately in the trenches or in billets while war training, in the area of Calonne and Vieille Chapelle north-east of Bethune. The corps was then rested in a quiet sector until it was deployed for the Battle of Loos.

The initial attack at Loos was to be made by three divisions, with the Meerut Division leading the attack on the Indian front; Blackader's brigade, with two Gurkha battalions and the 2nd Leicesters, was on its right flank. Whilst the attack successfully crossed no-man's land under cover of the barrage, the right flank of the brigade was caught up in defensive wire, and only one battalion successfully made its way into the German trenches. Gas also affected some of the men and the smoke caused a dense fog, making direction difficult. From the 2nd battalion 72 men were killed, 217 wounded, 42 were gassed, and 96 were recorded as missing.

It is possible that Jess was wounded at the Battle of Loos as he does not appear to have gone with the 2nd Battalion to the Persian Gulf on 10th November 1915. In late 1915 or early 1916 he was transferred to the Lincolnshire Regiment as Private 18871 (later renumbered as 19971), but his battalion with the Lincolnshires is not known. Where Jess spent the rest of the war, therefore, is also unknown. After the war Jess appears to have stayed in the Army with the Lincolnshire Regiment as he had a third service number of 64718 which is in the range of numbers allotted in 1919.

Jess's brother John Morton Taylor served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps in the war and died of wounds in August 1915. In 1927 Jess married his cousin Grace Wathall in the Basford registration district of Nottinghamshire. In 1939 Jess and his wife were living at 136 Derby Road, Langley Mill, Nottinghamshire, and Jess was employed as a labourer on canal maintenance and repair. Jess died in 1942, aged 54, in Nottingham.

Sergeant 16469 George Tomlinson DCM

 

1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Died of Wounds 27th March 1917, Aged 21. 

The London Gazette. Supplement 29837.
24 November 1916. p 11561.
 
                  

Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry in action.

He commanded and fought four trench mortars with great courage and determination. He stood on the parapet to observe the fire of his guns. He set a splendid example throughout the operations
.'




Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.


Corporal 205713 Herbert Utting DCM

 

A Coy, 11th Bn, Tank Corps.

Previously Private 11854 Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) and Private 72755, H Bty, Machine Gun Corps.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30495.
25 January 1918. p. 1335. 
            

Herbert Utting was born in Loughborough on 23rd March1892. He was the son of Joseph William Utting and his wife Lucy (née Wright) who were married in Loughborough in 1881. Herbert had two brothers Joseph and Wilfred and three sisters Lucy, Edith and Eveline. Two other siblings Elizabeth and Percy died young.

Herbert's father was a GPO postman and in 1901 the family lived at 30 New King Street, Loughborough. In 1911 the family was split into two households. Herbert, a crockery salesman, was living with his father and sister Edith at 7 Rectory Place while his mother, a charwoman, was living at 4 King's Yard, High Street, with Wilfred and Eveline.

In 1912 Herbert was employed as a groom and on 22nd April 1912 he enlisted at Nottingham. He joined the 1st Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) as Private 11854 and after initial training was posted to India. When war broke out the 1st Battalion was stationed in Bombay and was ordered to return to England. The battalion disembarked at Plymouth on 2nd October 1914 and travelled to Hursley Park, near Winchester, Hampshire. Here the battalion came under the orders of the 24th Brigade in the Army's 8th Division.

The battalion landed at Le Havre on 5th November 1914 and proceeded to the trenches at Neuve Chapelle, not far from Richebourg. They stayed in this area on trench tours until at least February 1915. The trenches were either frozen or flooded and men had to move over open ground to the front line, with the enemy only 120 yards away.

Herbert's service number record indicates that in the spring of 1915 he was transferred to H Battery of the Machine Gun Corps as Private 72755. The precise details of Herbert's postings during the war, however, have been lost as his service record has not survived. Herbert is likely to have returned to Grantham, Lincolnshire, or Clipstone, Nottinghamshire, for his initial training with the Machine Gun Corps.

At some point in 1917 Herbert transferred to the Tank Corps which was formed on 29th July that year. He joined A Coy of the 11th Battalion of the Tank Corps as Private 205713 and was subsequently promoted to Acting Corporal.

On 16th July 1917 Herbert married Helen Sophia Hood at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. Back at the Front on 12th August he was wounded in the leg and taken on the 31st Ambulance Train to hospital.
Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.

When his tank had been knocked out by a direct hit, which killed the officer and wounded most of the crew, he volunteered to remain and act as orderly to the section commander when the crew was sent back. Half an hour afterwards, when guiding a tank, on foot over very difficult ground he was hit in the leg, but continued to take messages for two hours under heavy shell and machine gun fire. The assistance he gave to his section commander was invaluable, and his coolness and disregard for personal danger were most marked.
'


Tanks were deployed at the 3rd Battle of Ypres (July-November 1917) but were largely ineffective because of the deep mud. On 20th November 1917 at Cambrai, however, they successfully smashed through the Hindenburg Line. When the German army attacked in March 1918, British tanks were little used as a defensive weapon, but played an important part in the extraordinary counter-attack at Villers-Bretonneux on 24th-25th April.

On 4th July 1918 at Le Hamel and in front of Amiens on 8th August 1918, tanks played a central role in the crushing success of the Allied attack. Herbert's battalion supported the attack on Boyelles in the Battle of Albert on 23rd August 1918.

Tank losses, however, were significant and within days of the initial assault the Tank Corps was a temporarily spent force. It was not until the assaults on the Hindenburg Line in late September 1918 that a large enough force had been assembled again. Herbert's company was in action again on 8th October and in the Battle of the Selle from 17th-25th October 1918.

Herbert was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the late summer of 1918. He and his brother Joseph (who served in the war with the Coldstream Guards and was wounded in the eyes) both survived.

After the war Herbert and his wife Helen settled at 85 Wood Gate, Loughborough, and they had two children Wilfred and Herbert Junior. They later moved to 10 Canal Bank, Meadow Lane. Herbert's parents were now back together in Southfields Road and later lived at 14 Chapel Row.

Herbert was re-engaged for four years by the Royal Tank Corps on 22nd April 1924. He subsequently became a railway van man. He died, aged 58, on 1st March 1951 in Leicester.
  

Lance Sergeant 9022 Charles Herbert Winfield DCM

 

1/4th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously 1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment

The London Gazette. Supplement 31225. 11 March 1919. p. 3389.
            

Charles Herbert Winfield was born in Loughborough on 15th May 1889. He was the son of William Winfield and his wife Louisa (née Addleton) who were married in Loughborough in late 1882 or early 1883. Charles had three brothers John, Arthur and George and two sisters Elizabeth and Annie. Another sister May died in infancy.

In 1891 the family lived at 22 Mill Street, Loughborough, and Charles's father was employed as a bricklayer's labourer. In 1898 they lived in Dead Lane. After Charles's mother died in 1900 the family moved to 1 Court B, South Street, and Charles was sent to St. Mary's Catholic Boys School, Loughborough. Charles's father was now a boiler maker's labourer. By 1906 the family had moved to 5 John Street.

On 21st April 1906 Charles attested to join the 3rd Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. At the time he was employed as a labourer by J. C. Coltman and Son, boiler makers, and he gave his age as 17 years 11 months although he was one year younger. He was rejected by the regiment as being 'not likely to become an efficient militia man'.

Three years later Charles attested again and was this time accepted. He joined the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 9022. The 1st Battalion of the Leicesters was in Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland, when war broke out. Charles, now a Corporal, moved with his battalion to England and on 19th August they assembled in a camp at Coldham's Common, Cambridge. On 7th September the battalion marched to Royston, Hertfordshire, and entrained for Southampton where they embarked on the HMS Braemar Castle.

The battalion landed at St Nazaire, Brittany, on 10th September and travelled by train to Mortcerf, east of Paris, arriving early in the morning of 13th September and then began a long march to the British Army in the line at Courcelles, on far side of the Aisne. On 14th September the 1st Leicesters relieved the Worcesters and Royal Irish Rifles in the trenches at La Fosse Marguel where they came under constant shell fire and sniping until they in turn were relieved on 12th October by 106th French Infantry Regiment.

On 13th October the Battalion entrained at Fismes, 40 men crammed to each horse box. Some slept on the roof, although it was bitterly cold. They detrained on 17th October at Cassel and marched to take up defensive positions at Croix Blanche. From there, two days later, they marched to Rue de Bois, Armentières, and Bois Grenier, the day on which the First Battle of Ypres began. On 22nd October 1914, when they were defending the chemical factory at Rue de Bois, they were heavily shelled by shrapnel and Howitzers. and Charles received a gun shot wound to his head. He was admitted to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station on the following day. How long it took him to recover is unknown as his service record has not survived. At some point, however, he was posted to the 1/4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment.

The 1/4th Battalion of the Leicesters went to France on 2nd March 1915.

From Le Havre the battalion was sent by train to Cassel, from whence they marched to Zuytpeene. From there they moved to Strazeele, Sailly, Bac-Saint-Maur, Steenwerck and finally to Armentières. In April and May 1915 they were in trenches at Dranoutre and in June moved to Ouderdom. By the beginning of July they were at Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres and at the end of the month took part in the attack at Hooge, where the Germans used liquid fire. The battalion was then moved to the area of Loos, and took part in the attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt on 13th October 1915. After the Battle of Loos the battalion was ordered to proceed to Egypt.

On 16th January 1916 the 1/4th Battalion was in Marseilles prior to embarking on the HMT Andana to sail to Egypt. The voyage to Egypt, however, was aborted and on 27th January the battalion was ordered to entrain for Pont Remy and march to billets at Buigny l'Abbé. Here the battalion underwent training until 11th February. On 12th February the battalion moved to Puchevillers for additional training and also to work on the railway. The next move was via Fienvillers, Montrelet, and Gezaincourt to Doullens and then Sericourt where training continued until 8th March. On 11th March the battalion moved to Brigade reserve at Camblain l'Abbé. From here on 15th March they moved to the front line trenches opposite Givenchy and Vimy Ridge, in the area of Talus des Zouaves, to relieve the 5th Lincolnshires. On 21st March the 5th Lincolnshires relieved the 1/4th Leicesters and this pattern of reliefs was repeated over the following weeks.

On 23rd April the battalion moved to Mazières and then Savy for training until 9th May. Further moves followed to Le Souich and then Humbercamps for cable laying before a return to the trenches at Foncquevillers on 15th June.

On 30th June the battalion moved to billets in St. Amand-les-Eaux in preparation for the start of the Somme Offensive. On 2nd July the battalion transferred to Hannescamps and was heavily shelled. At Bienvillers-au-Bois on 15th July they launched a gas and smoke attack on the enemy. After a short period in training at Pommier and some work on trench improvement they moved into the trenches at Monchy-au-Bois on 1st August and were again shelled. Apart from a week in the trenches at La Cauchie the battalion remained in the Pommier/Bienvillers area until 28th October. November 1916 was spent training at Drucat, Domvast, and Mondicourt prior to a return to the trenches at Hannescamps in December

After a Christmas break at Souastre the battalion returned to the Hannescamps trenches, going into Brigade Reserve at Bienvillers at the end of the year. Further trench tours followed at Hannescamps in January 1917, with breaks at Souastre. On 27th and 28th January the battalion pushed forward and advanced the front line in operations at Gommecourt.

In February 1917 the battalion took over a new front line facing Monchy-au-Bois and experienced a very heavy enemy bombardment of trench mortars and shells. March began with training at Souastre followed a return to the front line between Hannescamps and La Brayelle before a move over nine days to Flechin took place. April began with training at Flechin and Erny St. Julien followed by a move over several days to Lens, arriving on 18th April. Two trench tours north-west of Lens in the Cité St. Pierre sector took up the rest of April.

In May there was training at Noeux-les-Mines before trench tours in the Lievin sector on 12th and 18th May. Breaks at Red Mill and Fosse 10 included the digging of new trenches. June began with training for an attack which took place on the 8th June and was successful despite 74 casualties. From Brigade support in Lievin the battalion went into the line again west of Lens in the Cité Jeanne d'Arc sector on 10th and on 19th June with a break in between digging trenches. The battalion was in billets at Bouvigny-Boyeffles from 22nd-27th June and took practiced at Marqueffles Farm for another attack.

From the trenches at the foot of Hill 65 on 28th June the battalion advanced in heavy rain and succeeded in their objectives. Another attack on 1st July was also successful. Relieved on 3rd July the battalion was taken by bus to billets at Monchy-Breton and Orlancourt where training and sports took place until 27th July. From Brigade reserve at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was sent back to the trenches at Hulluch on 28th July.

Between 28th July and 28th November the battalion completed ten trench tours in the St. Elie sector with breaks at Fouquières, Philosophe and Mazingarbe. After this the battalion moved to Noeux-les-Mines for training until 1st December when they returned to the trenches, this time in the Cambrin sub-sector. Here on 12th December the battalion was on the receiving end of an enemy mustard gas attack. On 14th December the battalion went to Beuvry into Divisional Reserve before returning to the line on 20th. Relieved on Boxing Day the battalion moved to Annequin and provided carrying and working parties.

The period from 1st to 18th-January 1918 included two trench tours in the Cambrin sector, rest and training at Beuvry, and working parties to clear the communication trenches at Annequin of snow and water, On 19th January the battalion moved to billets in the tobacco factory at Béthune and from there, on the following day, marched to Mont-Bernanchon. Here training on any large scale was impossible as the ground was under cultivation or water but a certain amount of arms drill and musketry training was carried out. The battalion received orders to work on wiring for the Royal Engineers but this did not begin until 25th as the materials had not arrived. Wiring continued until 1st February when the battalion marched to Busnes.

Training and reorganisation took place at Busnes until 8th February when the battalion marched to Westrehem. The battalion was now ordered to seize the crossing of the River Lys between Delette and Dennebroeucq. This was done and the battalion moved to Coyecque to continue training until 1st March.

On 1st March the battalion began a four-day move via Flechin, Manqueville and Noeux-les-Mines to the trenches in the Cambrin south sector. On 7th March they shot down an enemy propaganda balloon which contained a copy of Gazette des Ardennes. Several days in Brigade support at Annequin and Sailly-Labourse followed when the men provided working parties. After this there was a return to the trenches in the Cambrin north sector where they were shelled by the enemy. Following a break at Beuvry the battalion went into the front line in the Hohenzollern sector. Here they were heavily trench-mortared by the enemy who endeavoured to break through the front. As the enemy was now expected to attack between Hill 70 and La Bassée the battalion was ordered to move to the Hill 70 sector.

Relieved on 6th April the battalion moved to Les Brebis for a rest and to provide working parties. Returning to brigade support on 9th April the battalion suffered an enemy gas attack. After a brief return to the front line the battalion was relieved on 12th April and began a three-day move to Bois de Froissart Camp, Hersin, where a large number of men were sent to hospital suffering from influenza. On 26th April the battalion marched to Fouquières and into brigade support near Essars which was shelled on 29th and 30th April.

During the night of the 2nd/3rd May the battalion relieved the 5th Lincolnshires in the left sub-sector of Essars. On 4th May the enemy put down a heavy barrage and two Ordinary Ranks were killed and 120 wounded.

On 6th May the battalion was relieved and marched to Vaudricourt where the men attended a workshop for repairs to boots and clothing and their rifles and Lewis guns were inspected by the Armourer Sergeant. On 9th May the battalion, now in Divisional reserve, was ordered to move into position north of the Béthune-Beuvry road as an attack was expected.

When the attack did not happen the battalion returned briefly to Vaudricourt before going into the front and support line trenches in the Gorre left sub-sector. While they were there the battalion headquarters was hit by enemy gas bombs and all the Officers and men there were affected. On 18th May the battalion returned to Vaudricourt. Men who had been in contact with gas went to the Field Ambulance to have their clothes disinfected in a Thresh disinfector and some men were sent to hospital. Back at Vaudricourt there were lectures on gas and tests in a gas chamber.

The battalion returned to the support trenches in the Gorre sector on 24th May and on the following day at one point enemy gas shells fell every two or three minutes, forcing the men to wear their gas masks. The trench tour ended on 30th May after some heavy enemy trench mortaring and machine gun fire.

During June the battalion completed trench tours in the front and support lines at Essars where they experienced further enemy gas shell attacks. When the front was quitter they provided working, salvage and carrying parties, repaired a light railway, improved their positions and sent out patrols. While resting at Vaudricourt all their gas respirators were tested at the Gas Hut, Verquin, and a sports and horse show took place.

On 11th July the battalion was back in the trenches in support in the Gorre left sub-sector, providing working and carrying parties for the forward area. On 17th July they moved to the Gorre right sub-sector. Relieved on 21st the battalion went to Vaudricourt for a week's training and sports before returning to the Gorre right sub-sector until 4th August.

From 4th-8th August the battalion provided salvage parties during the day and working parties at night and from 9th-14th August was at Vaudricourt for training and sports. Two more trench tours took place towards the end of August, during which there were signs that the enemy was retiring and the battalion pushed forward. The month ended with four days training.

Following another trench tour and five days training the battalion entrained on 12th September for Méricourt l'Abbé where a tactical scheme was practised. On 18th September the battalion marched to Ribemont, travelled by bus to Estrées and marched to Tertry. While moving to the line near Tertry the battalion was badly bombed by enemy planes. At the front line they were shelled and on the receiving end of harassing enemy fire.

The battalion then took part in a series of attacks - on Pontruet on 24th September, on Pike Wood on 27th September, and on Bellenglise and Magny-la-Fosse on 29th September. On 1st and 2nd October they held the line before Magny-la-Fosse and on 3rd October took part in a Divisional attack on the Fonsomme line, Ramicourt and Montbrehain.

The battalion held the line at Montbrehain for one day before being relieved and resting on the west side of the St. Quentin Canal. Between 8th and 10th October they advanced to take up a line along the Bohain-La Morette road, after which they were training in Fresnoy until 16th October. On 17th October the battalion took part in a major attack and Regnicourt was taken. For the remainder of October they returned to Fresnoy and continued training.
Citation

'On the morning of the 29th September 1918, near Bellenglise, he rushed a machine-gun post single handed, capturing the team and bringing them back as prisoners. This machine-gun post had been enfilading the line and holding up the attack and his action enabled the attack to be pushed forward. He showed fine courage and determination and did splendid work.'

At the beginning of November the battalion moved via Busigny and Molain to the line in the Ribeauville-la-Louviere area before transferring to La Groise and then Cartignies. After the Armistice was declared the battalion moved to Bousies to clean up the area. On 30th November Charles was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Between 1st December 1918 and May 1919 the battalion was occupied with garrison and salvage work at Bousies, Solesmes, St. Hilaire and Inchy. The battalion returned to England in June 1919. Charles had been promoted to the rank of Lance Sergeant by the end of the war.

In 1921 Charles married Alice Medforth at St. Mary's Church, Sculcoates, Yorkshire, and they had two children Mary and John. In 1939 the family was living at 5 Haslemere Avenue, Melwood Grove, Kingston-upon-Hull, and Charles was employed as a railway lengthsman with Permanent Way. Charles died in Hull, aged 59, in 1948.

  

 


Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

The DSM was established on 14th October 1914.

It was an award for bravery whilst on active service at sea and was for other ranks' Royal Navy personnel, members of the other Services and other Commonwealth countries who held rank up to and including Chief Petty Officer.

On the reverse there was an inscription 'For Distinguished Service'. Bars were awarded for subsequent actions and the date of the action during the First World War was given on the reverse of the bar. Recipients of the medal are entitled to use the letters DSM after their name.

 


Able Seaman 4926 John William Draycott DSM

HMS Usk

The Edinburgh Gazette. Issue 12940. 19 May 1916. p. 893..

John William Draycott was born in Loughborough on 18th February 1894. He was the son of William Draycott and his wife Sarah Ann (née Swift) who were married in Loughborough in 1889. John's father was a carpenter and joiner and John had one sister Edith. The Draycott family lived at 58 Gladstone Street, Loughborough. According to a newspaper report 'after leaving school John was with Mr. [John T.] Judges, [Headmaster] of Church Gate School'.

On 8th July 1909 John joined the Royal Navy at Devonport. As Boy II, J4926, he was sent to HMS Ganges II, a shore training establishment at Shotley, Suffolk. Between 5th November 1909 and 31st February 1913 he served on HMS Caesar, HMS Hannibal, HMS Queen, at HMS Vivid I (a Plymouth shore establishment), HMS Defiance, and HMS Royal Arthur. On 8th January 1912 he was promoted to the rank of Able Seaman.

On 1st April 1913 John joined HMS Tamar, a shore station in Hong Kong.

When war broke out John was at HMS Tamar, a shore station in Hong Kong. He saw service when the fleet co-operated with the with the Japanese in the subjugation of the German Chinese Colony at Kiao-Chau, and assisted at the fall of Tsing-Tau, the German fortress.

In Hong Kong on 2nd December 1914 he transferred to HMS Usk, a Yarrow type River Class destroyer, with HMS Blenheim as his depot ship. HMS Usk then sailed from Hong Kong via Penang, Colombo, Aden and Port Said to Malta, arriving in Valletta on 17th January 1915. On 2nd February 1915 HMS Usk left Malta for Tenedos, a Turkish island in the north-east Aegean. HMS Usk remained in the Dardanelles until 13th June 1915, in attendance on various ships and seaplanes, landing troops and stores and on patrol.

On 16th June HMS Usk returned to Malta. In July John was given 90 days detention for being drunk and disorderly. Released on 4th October he was transferred to HMS Exmouth (a Duncan-class pre-dreadnought battleship) and he remained with HMS Exmouth until 15th February 1917. Exmouth supported operations ashore in the autumn of 1915 during the Dardanelles Campaign and it was during this time at Gallipoli that John earned his Distinguished Service Medal.

Exmouth left the Dardanelles in November 1915 and transferred to the Aegean Sea to become Flagship, 3rd Detached Squadron, a force based at Salonika that had been organized to assist the French Navy in blockading the Aegean coast of Greece and Bulgaria and to reinforce the Suez Canal Patrol. On 28th November 1915, she took aboard personnel of the British Belgrade Naval Force as they were being evacuated from Serbia.

From September to December 1916 HMS Exmouth served in the Allied force supporting Allied demands against the government of Greece, which at the time was ruled by the pro-German Constantine I, who had decided to remain neutral at the outbreak of war. In August 1916, a pro-Allied group launched a coup against the monarchy in the Noemvriana, which the Allies sought to support. Exmouth participated in the seizure of the Greek fleet at Salamis and landed Royal Marines at Athens on 1st December 1916. The British and French troops were defeated by the Greek Army and armed civilians and were forced to withdraw to their ships, after which the British and French fleet imposed a blockade of the royalist-controlled parts of the country.

After leaving HMS Exmouth on 15th February 1917 John served at HMS Vivid I, the Plymouth shore establishment, at HMS Defiance, a floating torpedo school at Plymouth, on HMS Leander, a depot ship in the Humber and at HMS Vernon (a shore torpedo school in Portsmouth).

After the war John served at HMS Vivid I at HMS Vivid III (an accounting base at Devonport) and on HMS Ramillies (a Revenge-class super-dreadnought battleship). He left the Navy on 18th February 1922. His naval career was not entirely smooth. Apart from his misdemeanour in Malta in 1915 he 'ran' (i.e. deserted) three times between 1917 and 1920 but was recovered, once by the local police, and suitably punished.

After leaving the Royal Navy in February 1922 John returned to Loughborough and in the summer of 1922 married Mabel Bloor. John and Mabel settled at 62 Gladstone Street, Loughborough, two doors away from John's parents, and had one daughter Mabel, born in 1927. In 1939 John was employed as a heavy worker in construction engineering. John died, aged 66, on 1st May 1960 at Loughborough General Hospital.

 

 


Military Medal (MM)

Instituted on 25th March 1916 (and backdated to 1914).

The Military Medal was awarded to other ranks of the British Army and Commonwealth Forces. It was an award for gallantry and devotion to duty when under fire in battle on land.

On the reverse of the medal is inscribed 'For Bravery in the Field'. Recipients of the medal are entitled to use the letters MM after their name.
 


 

Private 24989 Lawrence Barker  MM

 

1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30768. 25 June 1918. p. 7587. 

 

 

Lawrence Barker was born in Loughborough on 1st January 1891. He was the son of Eli Barker, a framework knitter, and his wife Sarah Ann (née Hallam) who were married on 16th May 1885 at the Registrar's Office, Loughborough. Lawrence had one brother Jesse and three sisters Lily, Crissie and Phoebe. Another brother Jesse died aged 2. In a few records Lawrence's first name is spelled as 'Laurence'.

When Lawrence was born the family was living at 48 Wellington Street, Loughborough, but by 1901 they had moved to 49 Cobden Street. By 1911 Lawrence, aged 20, was a framework knitter like his father.

Lawrence enlisted towards the end of 1915, but his exact date of enlistment is unknown as his service papers have not survived. He joined the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 24989. His medal records indicate that he was not sent to France to join the 1st Battalion of the Leicesters until at least 1916.

Between January and July 1916 the 1st Leicesters were on the Ypres Salient. On 1st August 1916 they left the trenches at Potizje and entrained at Proven for France. They reached billets at Lealvillers, Somme, on 4th August and on the following day marched to camp in Mailly-Maillet Wood. A period of training and working parties followed. On 14th August they went into the trenches opposite Beaumont-Hamel, where they remained until 19th when they returned to the Mailly Wood camp. On 27th August they left for Flesselles. Here additional training took place. On 8th September they occupied former German trenches in the area of Trônes Wood on the northern slope of the Montaubon Ridge while in the following days the build-up for a major battle, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, took place. The battle began on 15th September and lasted seven days and the battalion incurred grievous losses. The battalion was also in action in the Battle of Morval (25th-28th September). During part of the Battle of Le Transloy (1st October-5th November 1916) the 1st Leicesters were employed carrying up stores and providing stretcher and other parties for the front line troops.

By 21st October the battalion was back in billets at Corbie where it entrained three days later for Sorel before moving over several days to Fouquières-les-Béthune in the La Bassée sector.

Most of November was spent in training with one brief trench tour and December in the trenches at Cuinchy, with breaks at Beuvry and Christmas Day at Noeux-les-Mines.

January 1917 was spent in turns in the trenches and at rest in Mazingarbe. From 1st to 21st February many raids on the enemy were carried out after which the battalion marched via Sailly Labourse to the Montmorency Barracks at Béthune.

In March and April the battalion did trench tours on the front line north of the Double Crassier, Loos, before being withdrawn to billets at Maroc on 22nd April. May brought more trench tours in the front line at Loos, with breaks in billets at Les Brebis or Philosophe.

In June the battalion was instructed, while in training at Verquin, to mount a series of small operations to give the enemy the impression that an attack was about to take place. In July Canadian forces took over in the area to attack Hill 70 and the battalion was withdrawn to the area of Monchy-Breton, proceeding by lorries to Magnicourt-en-Compte. After being briefly ordered to assist at the time of the gas shelling of Armentières, a brief period at Fleubaix, and time in the reserve line at La Boutillerie the battalion returned to Magnicourt on August 5th. At the end of August the Division returned to the Hill 70 front and went into reserve at a camp in Houchin.

In September there were front and support line trench tours at Hill 70, Les Brebis and Cité St. Pierre. At the end of September the battalion was in south Maroc and early in October at Noeux les Mines before going into the trenches in the St. Emile sector. From Mazingarbe on 21st October the battalion moved to Ligny-lez-Aire and then to Manin for training until 14th November. On 15th November the battalion entrained at Frevent for Péronne and marched to Moislains. After a couple of days under canvas at Dessart Wood the battalion moved forward to the front line at Beaucamp and on 20th November, the first day of the Battle of Cambrai, successfully attacked part of the Hindenburg Line. The battalion was relieved on 26th November and moved to another section of the front line near Noyelles where they suffered heavy enemy bombardment and shelling but nevertheless helped to achieve an advance to Gouzeaucourt.

On 1st December the battalion was at Nine Wood and was heavily shelled before being relieved and moving to new positions on the Premy-Flesquières Ridge. On 5th December the battalion moved again to positions in the front line on the Hindenburg support system where they remained until 13th December. From 14th December until the end of the year the battalion was at Bellacourt undergoing training.

Between October and December 1917 Lawrence married a hosiery hand Margaret Rebecca Thompson (known as 'Maggie') in Loughborough.

In the early part of January 1918 the battalion was at Courcelles but on 18th went into the trenches on the Moeuvres front. Rest periods were taken at Luck and Lindop Camps near Fremicourt. On February 19th and 20th the battalion moved to the Lagnicourt area, where, when out of the line, they provided large working parties for work on the defences.

There were now strong rumours that the enemy was preparing a large offensive and great efforts were made to obtain information through patrols and raids. On 15th March the front line company of the battalion managed to capture a propaganda balloon laden with ten copies of the Gazette des Ardennes, a paper published in French by the Germans for distribution among the inhabitants of occupied territory. On 17th March the battalion had gone back into Brigade Reserve.

On 21st March 1918 the enemy launched their Spring Offensive. When the order to 'Stand To' in battle positions early on 21st March came through to the1ist Leicesters some of the men could not immediately be reached as they were detached on work elsewhere.

The battalion nevertheless put up a determined defence. By the evening of 21st March, however, C Company had only 1 Officer and 37 Other Ranks left. On 22nd March the enemy put down a very heavy barrage and increased pressure all along the line. When the Germans advanced rapidly between the Lagnicourt to Maricourt Wood road and Vaulx Wood both C and D Companies of the battalion were practically destroyed.

The battalion was then withdrawn to Berkeley Camp, Bihucourt, and then to Puisieux-au-Mont where, on 24th March, they entrained for Doullens. After a night at J Camp the battalion entrained for Proven. On 27th March the battalion moved to Winnizeele where reorganisation and training took place until 1st April.

On 2nd April the battalion travelled via Ypres Asylum to Belgian Chateau Camp and on the next day proceeded into the front line in the Reutel sub-sector. This area was chiefly duckboard tracks, water, shell-holes and mud and much work was done on the trenches. On 11th April the battalion entrained for a camp at Belgian Battery Corner where they remained for two days. On 13th April the battalion moved, partly by bus, to Dranoutre and into the front line.

After being heavily shelled for two days the battalion was withdrawn to a support position in a valley on the west side of Mount Kemmel. On 19th they moved into the front line for two days before being relieved and moving via Westoutre to Vancouver Camp, Vlamertinghe. Here they provided working parties. On 27th April the battalion moved to a new position at Kemmel from where the enemy was heavily defeated on the following day.

On 1st-11th May the battalion was in Divisional reserve at Vlamertinghe for work on the Switch line. From 12th-16th May they were at Belgian Chateau carrying wire and stakes to the front line, but during this time a lot of the men were falling sick. The remainder of the month was spent in the support and front lines at Chateau Segard near Vormezeele and suffered a heavy bombardment of enemy gas shells

On 18th May the battalion was sent to the front and support lines in the Chateau Ségard sector, near Voormezeele. During this trench tour they experienced enemy gas shelling and heavy artillery fire at night. On 26th May they moved to the Ravine in Brigade support and on the following day the enemy began a heavy bombardment, including gas shells, of the support lines and back areas.

From 30th May - 6th June the battalion was back in the front and support lines at Chateau Ségard. The enemy restarted shelling, including ordinary gas shells as well as those containing sneezing gas. Hostile aeroplanes were also very active. The battalion was relieved on 6th June, their relief being hampered by another hostile gas shelling attack, and moved to Dirty Bucket Camp, about two miles north-west of Vlamertinghe. Here, after inspections and cleaning up, the battalion provided working parties for the Vlamertinghe, Brandhoek and Poperinghe lines and also attended Lewis gun classes.

On 13th June 120 men became sick with influenza and on the following day 60 men were sent to hospital. The battalion was moved to School Camp near Poperinghe for further training and cases of flu continued to appear. The sickness is likely to have been the so-called 'Spanish flu', the first cases of which appeared in Belgium around this time.

On 20th June the battalion entrained at Proven for St. Omer and marched to Musketry Camp, Cornette. Here the men had four days' practice in rapid loading, trigger pressing and field firing. On 25th June the battalion entrained at St. Omer for Mendighem and marched to Rainsford Camp near Watou where training continued. Additional training took place in the Hagebaert area near Poperinghe until 5th July.

On 25th June 1918 Lawrence was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in action in May 1918.

On 6th July the battalion went into the trenches in the front line of the Dickebusch Lake sector. The trenches here were in a very bad condition and owing to the proximity of Mount Kemmel all movements were easily observed by the enemy. All available men were used carrying materials to the front line, often amid enemy action. A trench tour on the Vyverbeek line followed. On 25th July the battalion withdrew to positions in the right sector of Westoutre and worked at night on cable burying.

From 3rd August the battalion was in support in the Dickebusch Lake sector, and from 6th-16th August held the front line. After being relieved they moved to Brigade reserve in the Dickebusch sector and were employed in working parties until 22nd August. On 23rd August the battalion entrained at Wellington Junction near Ouderdom, travelled by light railway to Winnezeele, changed trains for St. Momelin, and marched from there to Tilques. Training began on 26th and included practice in marshalling and escorting prisoners. On 29th August the battalion marched to Mentque for sports.

From Mentque on 1st September the battalion entrained at St. Omer for Corbie and marched to Franvillers. From 3rd-10th September there was training in attack technique and open warfare. On 11th they moved to Daours and three days later to Monchy-Lagache by bus.

Preparations were now made for an attack. On 17th September the battalion moved to the concentration area in Jean Devaux Wood where they were shelled twice and then through heavy rain, dense mist and shelling to Holnon Wood. During the concentration of troops on 18th September preparatory to an attack 50 casualties were sustained.

The attack near Holnon began on 19th September, continued in stages until 24th September, and was very successful. After the attack the battalion went into reserve in the Fresnoy sector. On 29th September the battalion moved to the Bouvincourt- Vraignes area and on 4th October proceeded by bus and route march to Magny-la-Fosse. An attack was now planned on the Méricourt Ridge and this took place between 9th and 11th October amid very heavy enemy machine gun fire. The battalion was then relieved and had two days rest in huts north of Bohain. Back at the front between 14th and 17th October they were still unable to dislodge the enemy from the ridge. On 23rd another attack was made and the enemy began to retire across the Sambre Canal. The allies then crossed the canal and the battalion was able to rest at St. Souplet and Fresnoy-le-Grand. The battalion was in Bohain when the Armistice was declared. Between 14th November and 15th December the battalion moved through Belgium into Germany. Demobilisation began at Wesseling, near Cologne, on 29th December 1918.

In 1939 Lawrence and Maggie were living at 36 Derby Square, Loughborough, with their only offspring Frank. Lawrence was employed as a brush hand. Lawrence died in 1965 in Leicester, aged 74.

Sergeant 12068 Wilfred Barker  MM Croix de Guerre

 

8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Also 55749 14th Bn, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment

(MM) The London Gazette. 28 March 1919. Issue 31257. p. 4129.

(C de G) The London Gazette. Supplement 31109. 3 January 1919. p. 315.


Wilfred Barker was born in Loughborough in 1895. He was the son of Ernest Barker and his wife Rosetta (née Smith) who were married at St. Margaret's Church, King's Lynn, Norfolk, on 7th June 1892. Wilfred had two brothers Walter and Harry and two sisters Doris and Hilda. Wilfred's father was a carpenter and joiner and in 1901 the family was living at 120 Leopold Street, Loughborough. By 1911 the family had moved to 18 Burleigh Road and Wilfred, aged 15, was a clerk and office boy.

Wilfred enlisted in early September 1914 and joined the Leicestershire Regiment. He was sent to the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment and on the following day posted to the 8th (Service) Battalion as Private 12068

Wilfred's battalion was part of Kitchener's New Army. It was attached to the 23rd Division of the Army and initially assembled in Hampshire. The King, the Queen and Princess Mary visited the fledgling Division on 29 September. In early December, as the weather worsened, the Division moved into Aldershot. Another move was made to Shorncliffe, Kent at the end of February 1915. In April the battalion joined the 37th Division of the Army and moved to Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. All units were inspected by King George V at Sidbury Hill on 25th June.

On 29th July 1915 Charles left Folkestone for France. Initially his battalion concentrated near Tilques. On 5th September the battalion moved to the Merris Vieux-Berquin area, where trench familiarisation began under the tutelage of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. Nine days later they moved to the front line sector at Bois Grenier, south of Armentières.

The 8th Battalion then moved via Watten, Houlie, St. Omer, Eecke and Dranoutre to Wulverghem and Berles-au-Bois, a short distance from the front line. In the months that followed the 8th Battalion did tours in the trenches, alternating with the 6th Leicesters who relieved them. They were involved in operations in Bailleul, Le Bizet, Armentières, Mondicourt, Beauval and Berles-au-Bois.

In April 1916 Wilfred had moved with the 8th Leicesters to the Doullens area for six weeks cleaning up, resting and training. In mid-May they returned once more to the trenches in the Bienvillers-Bailleulmont sector, but nearer Gommecourt. In June there was a series of nightly excursions into No-Man's Land with patrols attempting to gather information on the enemy's dispositions. On other occasions there were working parties out repairing the British barbed wire entanglements. The situation became increasingly hazardous as the month wore on when the Germans began to use a new and more accurate type of trench mortar.

The 8th Battalion did not participate in the first days of the Somme Offensive but was held in reserve. On 6th July Wilfred's battalion left billets at Humbercamps and marched to Talmas, continuing on the following day to billets in Soues. On 10th July the battalion marched to Ailly-sur-Somme, entrained for Méricourt and travelled from there by lorry to bivouacs in Méaulte. Between 10th and 13th July the battalion was in the trenches near Fricourt and subjected to fairly continuous enemy fire.

On the 14th July the battalion was in action at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. After the battle the battalion withdrew to Ribemont and then to Méricourt, and having entrained for Saleux, marched to Soues. From Soues the battalion moved to Longeau, Gouy-en-Ternois, Lattre St. Quentin and then to Arras where they went into the trenches on 29th July. Casualty figures for the battalion in July had been high: 17 officers and 415 other ranks had been killed, wounded or were missing.

The battalion went into Divisional Reserve at Agnez-les-Ouisans on 8th August but went back into the trenches at Arras on 18th August where they were on the receiving end of trench mortar bombs and heavy shells until 2nd September. On being relieved the battalion marched to rest billets at Lignereuil. On 13th September they marched to Frevent and entrained for Dernancourt. On 15th they reached a point between Fricourt and Méaulte before proceeding to Trônes Wood on 16th.

From 17th-23rd September the battalion was in reserve and supporting the troops in the front line by providing carrying parties. In the evening of 24th September the battalion marched up to take their position ready for an attack but before they reached this point the men were heavily shelled by the enemy. Just after midday on 25th September the 8th Leicesters launched a successful attack in waves on the right of Flers and then pressed on to Gueudecourt. Considerable losses, however, were suffered in this action.

After Morval the battalion withdrew to Dernancourt, entrained for Longpré and marched to Pont Remy before transferring to the Hohenzollern Reserve, support and frontline trenches. The battalion remained in the Hohenzollern sector, with breaks at Mazingarbe and Vermelles until 15th December when they marched to billets in the candle factory at Béthune.

From Béthune the battalion moved to Auchel where they remained until 26th January 1917 training. On 28th December the troops were entertained by a Lena Ashwell concert party. From Auchel the men moved to Winnezeele to continue training in tactical manoeuvres before returning to Béthune and the front line trenches at Sailly Labourse.

In April 1917 the battalion moved to Hamelincourt and occupied the Outpost Line on the Hénin-Croisilles road until 13th April, then transferred to Bailleulmont for training before going into support at St. Leger. On 3rd May the battalion took part in an attack on the village of Fontaine-lès-Croisilles where casualties were high. After the attack the battalion bivouacked at St. Leger before going back into the line on 9th May. On 11th May the battalion marched to Berles-au-Bois for musketry training and practice in tactical schemes, brigade sports and inspections which lasted until the end of May.

On 1st June the battalion marched to huts in Hamelincourt for additional training in bombing and rifle grenades and field exercises until 7th June. On the night of 7th/8th the battalion went into the trenches in the Hindenburg Line. From there they attacked the enemy on 15th June but were compelled to withdraw. They remained in the front line until 19th June when they returned to camp at Hamelincourt. A period of rest at Blairville then lasted until 1st July, after which the battalion returned to Hamelincourt. On 9th July 1917 the battalion was in the trenches near Croisilles before going into Brigade Reserve. After one more front line trench tour at Croisilles the battalion moved to Camp A at Moyenville for eight days training. Following this the battalion was in brigade support in the forward area until 17th August when it moved to a hutment camp in Ervillers for training. On 25th August the battalion moved by motor bus to Barly and from there, on the following day, marched to Ambrines. Two further periods of training followed, firstly at Ambrines and then at Avesnes-le-Comte.

On 16th September the battalion marched to Savy, entrained for Caestre and went into camp for more training. On 23rd September the battalion began a series of moves, firstly to Meteren, then by bus to Hallebast before marching to Sint Hubertushoek and from there to Ridge Wood south-west of Ypres. On 30th September they moved up to the front line at Polygon Wood.

On 1st October the enemy attacked the 9th Leicesters who were nearby and got possession of their front line. The 8th Leicesters went to assist but the enemy made repeated attacks. Counter-attacks were hit by a heavy enemy barrage in the neighbourhood of Joist Farm. On the night of the 2nd/3rd October the battalion was relieved and marched to Scottish Wood Camp. On 4th October the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Leicesters were amalgamated because of their high casualty rate. On 5th October the combined battalion moved to railway dugouts at Zillebeke and on 7th they went into the front line. The weather was very wet, the men suffered severely in the open trenches and shell holes and on 8th and 9th October 53 Ordinary Ranks were killed or wounded.

Relieved on 11th October the battalion moved to Anzac Camp where the combined battalion was restored to two units. On 12th October the 8th Battalion entrained at Ouderdom station for Ebblinghem and marched to Le Croquet. From here three days later the battalion moved by motor lorry to the Gheluvelt area on the Menin Road for six days of cable trench digging. The men worked under heavy hostile barrages, moving to and from the area under shellfire. Between 17th and 22nd October 86 Ordinary Ranks were killed, wounded or went missing.

Five days at Camp A, Kruistraat crossroads, for reorganisation and training followed, after which the battalion went into Brigade Reserve in railway dugouts south-west of Zillebeke Lake to work on cable trenches. While moving into the front line on the night of 3rd/4th November the battalion suffered heavy casualties from a hostile gas shell bombardment and were withdrawn to Divisional Reserve at Camp A. Between 9th and 16th November the battalion completed another front line trench tour as well as four days in the support trenches at Zillebeke Bund. On 17th November they began a six-day march from Pioneer Camp near Scottish Wood to Coupigne for five days cleaning and reorganisation, and then marched to Monchy Breton.

On 30th November the battalion was suddenly ordered to entrain at Savy for Cambrai in order to reinforce the line there on account of a large scale German attack. From Courcelles on 1st December the battalion moved into the support line and into the front line on the following day. Four more trench tours took up most of December and in between tours the battalion concentrated on improving the village defences of Epehy with barbed wire entanglements.

From Epehy, on 4th January 1918, the battalion moved back to Middlesex Camp, Heudecourt, in Brigade Reserve. Between 11th and 20th January the battalion was in training at Haut Allaines and working on wiring and tunnelling at Saulcourt. Two more trench tours in bad weather when the sides of the trenches kept falling in completed the month.

February 1918 included trench tours at Epehy, ten days at Noislains for training, digging a fire trench near Gurlu Wood, work on new aerodromes at Cartigny and near Nurlu and digging the main line of defence near Pezière. In early March it became clear that the enemy was preparing for a large-scale attack. On 21st March the Germans opened their Spring Offensive, advancing in formation and accompanied by a bombardment of every description. The battalion, still in the neighbourhood of Epehy, suffered heavy casualties on the front line between 21st and 23rd March.

On the night of the 23rd March the battalion moved into a position north-east of Cléry-sur-Somme but was forced into a further withdrawal on the following day when the enemy began an outflanking action. After moving to Bray-sur-Somme, Chipilly, and then Bresle, the nucleus of the battalion moved to the chateau at Vadencourt while the remainder operated in the Bray-Chipilly-Morlancourt-Ribemont area. By 31st March the entire battalion, which had suffered 415 casualties since 21st March, was at rest in Allonville.

On 1st April the battalion entrained at St. Roch station, near Amiens, for Hopoutre and proceeded by lorry to Monmouthshire Camp, near Dranoutre. Between 4th and 9th April they moved via Kemmel Shelters Camp, Curragh Camp near Westoutre and Ontario Camp near Reninghelst to Manawatu Camp near Zillebeke Lake. From 10th-13th April the battalion was in close reserve at Torr Top and Canada Tunnels before taking over the front and support lines for two days. On 15th they were ordered to withdraw to Forrester Camp near the Ypres-Kruistraakhoek road but when this was shelled, moved to the trenches. Between 18th April and the end of the month the battalion valiantly defended a line of posts, covering gaps wherever the enemy broke through.

The month of May began with a two-day break at Buysscheure for seven days of training, after which the battalion entrained at Wizernes for Serzy-Savigny. Training continued at Aougny and then at D Camp, Chalons de Vergeur near Bouvancourt. On 20th May the battalion went into the trenches east of the Aisne-Marne Canal between Cauroy and Cormicy. On 26th May the enemy began a heavy bombardment along the whole of the Aisne front and began penetrating the battalion's trenches. After the 3rd Battle of the Aisne the remnants of the battalion, which had effectively been wiped out, withdrew to Pourcy and then to the Fôret d'Epernay.

The remnants of the 8th Leicesters then became a training cadre and became the 14th (Service) Battalion of the (Duke of Wellington's) West Riding Regiment which was formed at Clacton, Essex, on 7th June 1918. Wilfred was posted to Clacton and renumbered as Sergeant 55749. This battalion was disbanded in England on 3rd November 1918.

Wilfred was discharged from the Army on 19th February 1919. He was awarded the Military Medal and the French Croix de Guerre.

In 1926 Wilfred married Florence Violet Ellis In Leicester. In 1939 Wilfred and Florence were living with their only child Geoffrey at 8 Balmoral Road, Carlton, Nottinghamshire and Wilfred was employed as a bookkeeper. Wilfred died, aged 73, in Nottingham in 1969.

Lance Sergeant 240193 George Anthony Bent MM

1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Formerly 1581 Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29819.
10 November 1916. p. 10918.

 
George Anthony Bent was born in Loughborough on 14th November 1886. He was the son of George Bent and his second wife Fanny (née Fearey) who were married in Loughborough in the summer of 1886. George Anthony had one brother John and one sister Gladys. Another sister Annie died, aged 4. George Anthony also had a half-brother William from his father's first marriage to Hannah Barradell who died in 1885.

In 1891 the Bent family was living at 56 Freehold Street, Loughborough, and George Anthony's father was a bricklayer's labourer. By 1901 they had moved to 72 Cobden Street and George Anthony's father was employed as a carter. In 1911 his father was working as a labourer in the Bell Foundry and his mother was working as a nurse. George Anthony attended Cobden Street School under Mr. Henry Kelsey.

In 1901 George Anthony, aged 14, was a machine minder in a hosiery factory. On 30th November 1903, when he was just 17, he enlisted to join the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. Nine days later he was discharged from the Leicestershire Depot as he had given false information about his age, having stated that he was 18 years old.

In late 1903 or early 1904 George Anthony married Fanny Blunt in Loughborough and the young couple set up home at 108 Russell Street, Loughborough. By 1911 they had three children George William, Annie and Jack.

George Anthony enlisted on 28th April 1913 and joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 1581 (later re-numbered as 240193).

The 1/5th Battalion was mobilised in August 1914 and assembled on 13th August at Duffield. After a training period in Luton, Bishop's Stortford, Ware and Sawbridgeworth the battalion entrained at Harlow for Southampton on 25th February 1915. The battalion sailed for France on the SS Duchess of Argyll and the SS Atalanta on the following day in very rough seas.

After arriving in Le Havre on 28th February they travelled by train via Rouen, Abbeville and St. Omer to Arneke where they detrained for Hardifort. Between 5th and 9th March the battalion was in the trenches near Armentières. On 10th and 11th March the battalion, which had moved to Strazeele, was in training. The battalion then proceeded to Sailly-sur-la-Lys and was held in reserve for, but did not take part in, the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10th-13th March 1915). Training continued at Doulieu and Bailleul until 3rd April.

On 4th April the battalion went into the trenches near Wulverghem where they were subjected to shelling and continual sniping by the enemy. Relieved on 9th April they proceeded to Dranoutre. They returned to the trenches near Hill 60 on 13th April, and then moved on to Zillebeke, followed by a tour in the area of Mount Kemmel.

From June to September 1915 the battalion remained in the area of Zillebeeke and Ouderdom, before being ordered to proceed towards Loos in October. On 12th October 1915 the battalion travelled to the Hohenzollern Redoubt, arriving in Vermelles at 10.00pm. They spent the next eight hours in communication trenches. On 13th October 1915 during the attack on the Redoubt, part of the final stages of the Battle of Loos, the 1/5th Battalion was in reserve until just after midday, when they 'went over the top' and came under intense machine gun fire. After the battle the battalion was reorganised at La Couture, Merville and Thuenne.

January 1916 was taken up with a potential move of the 1/5th Leicesters to Egypt which was aborted at Marseilles, the battalion being returned to Candas, and the area of Vimy Ridge. In mid-February 1916 the 1/5th Battalion took over the line north of the River Ancre opposite Beaumont-Hamel in France. On 29th February the battalion moved to the area of Doullens where the men worked on improving the trenches despite being subjected to a considerable bombardment from the enemy with mines and craters being blown.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge, Pas de Calais, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers and then to billets in Luchaux for bayonet training. This was followed by a period at Souastre digging cable trenches, and constructing bomb stores and gun pits in preparation for a 'big push'.

On 4th June 1916 the battalion was moved up to trenches near Gommecourt. This was followed by further training at Warlincourt. On 30th June the battalion assembled in a trench near Foncquevillers Church ready for the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the first day of the Somme Offensive planned for 1st July. In the attack at Gommecourt the 46th Division of the Army, of which the 1/5th Leicesters were part, suffered 2445 casualties.
Citation

'Devotion to duty as stretcher-bearer. Has shown conspicuous gallantry on many occasions. On 13th October 1915, he went out beyond the Hohenzollern, and alone carried in a wounded officer. Cut off by heavy shellfire he took him back again to the Redoubt till fire had slackened. Then he brought him down safely to the dressing station'.
On 7th July the battalion relieved the 4th Lincolnshires in the trenches opposite Essarts-lès-Bucquoy. The battalion remained in the area of Monchy-au-Bois until 29th October, either in the trenches or resting at Bienvillers or Pommier. The battalion's next move was to Millencourt for intensive battle training, returning to Halloy and then Souastre at the beginning of December.

George Anthony worked as a medical orderly for Dr. M. H. Barton during the early part of the war and in late 1916, and now a Corporal, he was awarded the Military Medal.

The battalion remained at Souastre until 11th March 1917 and then moved once more up to the line taking over 2,600 yards of frontage from the La Brayelle road to the Hannescamps-Monchy road. On 17th March they moved into Gommecourt for road mending before moving to Bertrancourt, Raincheval and then Rainvillers not far from Amiens.

On 28th March the battalion marched to Saleux, entrained for Lillers in the north, and marched to Laires. Training took place until 13th April and continued for three further days at Manqueville, after which the battalion moved to the western outskirts of Lens. From there they marched to Bully-Grenay and went into the front line trenches where they were heavily shelled. On 29th April the battalion went into rest billets in cellars at Cité St. Pierre until 3rd May when they went into support trenches. On 8th they went into billets at Fosse 10 near Petit Sains for training and on 12th into reserve at Angres. Further trench tours south-west of Lens followed until 26th May when the battalion went into billets at Marqueffles Farm for training in bayonet fighting and bombardment and to practise methods of attack. On 6th June the battalion was back in the line and on 8th June went into the attack, suffering 96 casualties.

Apart from two breaks at Red Mill from 9th-13th and 18th-20th June the battalion was in the trenches until 22nd June. On 21st June C Coy was accidentally gassed by the Royal Engineers, resulting in 94 casualties of whom 22 died. Back at Marqueffles Farm from 22nd the battalion had Lewis gun and signalling classes as well as attack training over a flagged course. On 27th June the battalion moved up to the line ready to attack on the following day. As they climbed out of the trenches on 28th June they met with the inevitable machine gun fire and over the next two days 60 Ordinary Ranks were killed.

Relieved from the trenches at Liévin on 3rd July the battalion moved to Monchy-Breton for reorganisation and training until 22nd July when they moved to Vaudricourt before going into the line at Hulluch until 28th July. After respite at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was at Fouquières until 14th August, practising for an attack. Moving to Noyelles the battalion went into the trenches on 15th August and carried out a raid on the German trenches at Hulluch on the night of the 16th/17th August. After a break at Noyelles for training the battalion returned to the trenches. The end of August was spent at Philosophe, providing carrying parties.

During September, October and early November 1917 the battalion completed six trench tours at St. Elie, with breaks at Fouquières and Philosophe. During one tour the battalion was visited by a Mr. Wilkes of the Leicester Mail, 'attired in a grey suit, steel helmet and box respirator'. On 14th November the battalion moved to Mazingarbe for a trench tour in the Hill 70 sector. November ended with the battalion billeted at Verquin, Vaudricourt and Drouvin for training and a battle rehearsal.

Three more trench tours took place in December, this time in the Cambrin right sector where there were some very heavy bombardments and gas attacks by the enemy.

New Year's Day 1918 was marked by another heavy bombardment on the battalion's trenches near Hulluch. During early January when away from the front line the battalion also provided wire carrying parties and working parties. On 20th January the battalion began a four-day transfer by march to Chocques. Between 24th January and 28th February the battalion was in training at Chocques, Allouagne, Fiefs, and Reclinghem.

Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.

On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling. On 10th April the battalion moved back into Hill 70 support, but the back areas were filled with gas and the men were sent to Coupigny Huts, Bracquemont.

Training began on 15th April but two days later 100 men became sick with what the medical specialists considered to be influenza. Sixty men were evacuated and a special rest station was set up. Those men who were well were moved to Hersin and another 100 evacuated. On 24th April the battalion moved to Bruay and went into Reserve at Fouquières on 25th, only to be shelled in their billets. As the battalion was marching to the trenches at Le Hamel on 28th April the enemy opened fire near Essars. Three men were killed and thirty-five wounded or gassed.

The battalion reached the trenches on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans. During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel. While at Gorre, near Béthune, in May 1918 George Anthony was gassed and blinded. He recovered his sight after three weeks but was subsequently discharged from the Army on 14th October 1918 and awarded a Silver War Badge. He had achieved the rank of Lance Sergeant.

George Anthony's step-brother William served with the Royal Garrison Artillery and also survived the war.

After the war George Anthony and his wife had two more daughters Gladys and Joan and in 1927 the family was living at 32 Shelthorpe Road, Loughborough. In 1939 George Anthony, now widowed and employed as an ordnance fitter, was living with Gladys and Joan at 5 Montague Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire. George Anthony died, aged 58, in Gillingham, Kent, on 17th February 1945. His World War One medals are in the collection of Leicester City Museum Service.

Private 44150 Ernest Blankley MM

1/6th Bn, Durham Light Infantry.

Previously 15298 Leicestershire Regiment and TR/5/62632 Training Reserve Battalion.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30507. 1 February 1918. p. 1610.

Ernest Blankley was born in Sileby in 1889 and baptised on 5th September 1889 at All Saints Church, Loughborough. He was the son of Frederick Charles Blankley and his wife Eliza (née Smith) who were married on 13th June 1880 at St. George's Church, Leicester. Ernest's father had married into a family of horse dealers and travellers and his parents lived in a horse-drawn caravan. His father was sometimes described as a travelling showman.

Frederick and Eliza Blankley kept within the boundaries of the East Midlands, and mostly within Leicestershire, with occasional visits to Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. In 1891 they may have been travelling under the name Smith, not Blankley, and may have been in Derby with a group of gypsy travellers and fairground performers. On the night of the 1901 census the family was living in a caravan off Moscow Lane, Shepshed, and Ernest's father was a horse dealer working at a stables.

Between 1890 and 1899 Ernest's father was prosecuted and fined at least seven times for allowing horses and asses to stray. In 1910 he was also brought to court by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for cruelty to a horse.

Ernest had three brothers John, Frederick Junior, and Sydney. Five other known siblings George, Charles, Nathan, Flora and one unnamed sister died young. Ernest's mother died in childbirth, aged 43, on 15th December 1901.

Ernest's father was remarried in 1904 in Leicester to Mary Ann Kellam and left the travelling community. He and Mary Ann initially lived in George Yard, just off the Market Place, in Loughborough. In 1911 the family was living at 8 Ashby Square and both Ernest and his father were listed as horse slaughterers. Frederick and Mary Ann had three children Lillian, Percy and Harry, half-siblings to Ernest.

On 15th September 1914 Ernest married Ellen (known as 'Nellie') Hames at Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough, Ernest and Nellie both gave their address as 2 King William Yard. On the following day, 16th September 1914, Ernest enlisted in Loughborough. He was sent to the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment and numbered as Private 15298. On 30th September he was posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment but was discharged at Lichfield after twenty days as 'not likely to become an efficient soldier'. His wife Nellie, meanwhile, who later moved to 10 Union Street, began work in munitions.

In 1916 Ernest was called up and sent to the 85th Training Reserve Battalion. He was now given the number TR/5/62632. At some point after this Ernest was sent to an Infantry Base Depot in France but the precise details are unknown as his service record has not survived. From there he was posted to the 1/6th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry as Private 44150. It seems likely that he joined the 1/6th Battalion at some point in 1917.

In January 1917 the battalion completed two trench tours near High Wood on the Somme with rests at hut encampments. Training at Becourt and Ribemont followed until 11th February when the battalion marched to Hamel. On the following day they marched to Proyart. On 19th February they marched to Foucaucourt and began a trench tour where they came under some heavy enemy artillery fire. After a break at Pommiers Camp they moved into the trenches at Berny. On 4th March they moved into Brigade support at Berny and worked on cleaning up the trenches. The battalion then moved to Morcourt for training and sports.

On 31st March the battalion embussed to Talmas and began a long march via Wargnies, Havernas, Longuevillette, Blangerval, Neuville-au-Cornet, and Montenescourt to Faubourg Ronville, south east of Arras. On 14th April the battalion moved to the assembly position in the dry bed of the Cojeul River.

As they advanced into the attack they were met by machine gun fire and casualties were very heavy. After the battle the remainder of battalion returned to caves at Ronville. The battalion was then held in reserve for another attack on 23rd April. On 27th April the battalion entrained at Arras and proceeded to billets at Humbercourt. During May training took place at Humbercourt, Monchy-au-Bois and Souastre.

On 15th June the battalion marched to a new area at Henin and went into the line on the following day. After suffering enemy shelling they were relieved on 20th. Four days later they moved to Boiry-Becquerelle in Divisional reserve and underwent training until 1st July.

In early July they moved into Brigade support near Henin before going into the front line.

A regular system of reliefs, which lasted for over two months, then commenced. Under this system the battalion had two periods of four days in the front line and one in support at Neuville Vitasse, followed by eight days in reserve in camp at Northumberland Lines. During the time in camp training occasionally took place. The battalion also supplied working parties for the trenches. On 13th September the battalion moved into Brigade reserve in the Cherisy sector near Henin and on the following day moved up to the front line. Relieved on 29th September they returned to Divisional reserve at the Northumberland Lines.

At the beginning of October most of the battalion was involved with working parties at Ficheux. On 4th October the battalion marched to a canvas camp at Gomiecourt, just off the main Bapaume road, and stayed there a short time training. Emphasis was placed on successful fighting methods recently adopted in the Salient.

On 17th October the battalion entrained at Bapaume for Esquelbecq and marched to billets at Eringhem. They then marched via Arneke to Wormhoudt where they entrained for Proven. After one night at Piddington Camp and two nights at Sarawak Camp the battalion entrained for Boesinghe and moved to Hulls Farm Camp. Here they were engaged with carrying and working parties until the end of October when they moved into the front line.

At the beginning of November the battalion occupied the front line just inside Houthulst Forest north of Poelcapelle and while there succeeded in advancing the line. On relief the battalion moved to Marsouin Farm Camp near Pilkem and then to Elverdinghe. From there they entrained for Watten and marched to billets at Houlle where training took place until 11th December.

On 12th December the battalion entrained at Watten for Brandhoek and marched to Erie Camp where training continued. On 17th December they moved by bus to a camp at Potijze and went into support at Seine before moving up to the front line, a series of shell hole positions on the Passchendaele Ridge. On Christmas Eve the battalion marched back to Potijze Camp. On Christmas Day they moved by bus to Erie Camp at Brandhoek. On 30th December they moved to a canvas camp at St. Jean.

Citation

'Whilst undergoing a heavy bombardment for something like six hours he was asked to go to the rear for reinforcements at a critical time. Without hesitation Pte Blankley obeyed the order and returned to the fighting line with reinforcements.'
In January 1918 Ernest was awarded the Military Medal. The award was made for his fine work when in action round the battlefield of Ypres in 1917.

Between January and March 1918 the battalion underwent training in the Steenvoorde area, at Acquin near St. Omer, and at St. Martin and carried out further trench tours in the Passchendaele sector and Hambourg area. In March the battalion returned to the Somme where a large enemy offensive was expected and trained at Marcelcave.

On the 21st March, the first day of the German Spring Offensive, the battalion entrained at Guillocourt for Brie and marched to Boucly where they occupied the support line. They then withdrew to Cardigny Ridge. On 23rd, having been ordered to cross the Eterpigny Bridge, they found themselves ambushed in Le Mesnil but managed to extricate themselves. On 24th they withdrew through Foucaucourt to occupy the line north-east of Estrées. On 25th they moved to Genermont and were deployed for action in the direction of Marchelpot before withdrawing to a line of old trenches near Pressoire.

On 26th the withdrawal continued almost to Rosières and on the following two days to Caix and Moreuil. Some of the battalion then gathered near Ailly-sur-Noye and others joined them from Boves. A support position was briefly held north of Hourges and on the far side of the River Luce before concentration was achieved near Domart. Between 21st and 31st March the battalion suffered 225 casualties.

On 4th April the battalion moved by bus from Vron to Beuvry and on 7th April travelled by train to Estaires. The battalion, much reduced in number, then took part in actions around Beaupré, Merville and Le Sart. On 13th April the battalion moved to Steenbecque in reserve and three days later to billets at Cohem, near Aire. They stayed here refitting and training until 25th April. On 26th April they entrained at La Pugnoy for Serzy and marched to camp at Arcis-le-Ponsart where training continued until 3rd May. On 4th May they marched to Glennes where they completed two trench tours with a break at Chaudardes. The trenches were fairly peaceful until 27th May when the enemy unleashed a massive bombardment with devastating results for the battalion and the division.

A composite battalion consisting of a weak Battalion from each of the original Brigades was then formed at Vert-la-Gravelle, south of the Marne. This battalion moved by bus to the Nanteuil Line near Cormoyeux. On 13th June a break was taken in the Bois de Courton. On 19th June the battalion entrained at Germaine for Sezanne and marched to billets at Broyes where cleaning up, reequipping and training took place.

On 3rd July the battalion entrained at Fere Champenoise for Longpré and marched to billets at Caumont. Here it was announced that the battalions were to be reduced to the strength of Training Cadres (10 officers and 50 other ranks). After a few days they marched to Warcheville, from where the surplus men (about 120) were sent to the Base. The total casualties in the battalion during the months of March, April and May had been 60 officers and over 1,200 other ranks.

The 6th Battalion, now a Training Cadre, moved by bus to Rouxmesnil Camp just outside Dieppe, and there a month was spent awaiting further orders. The time was spent in the training of the N.C.O.s who were to be instructors on special subjects, and in visits to the town.

At the end of the month's stay, about the middle of August, it was announced that the battalions were to be retained for training purposes. A few days later the Cadres of the 5th, 6th and 8th Durham Light Infantry moved by train to Rouen, where they were to build a camp and start a new institution, that of instructing reinforcement officers at the Base in tactical schemes. The officers of the Cadres therefore began the latter work, whilst the N.C.O.s and men worked, or superintended the work on the new camp.

About the middle of October came rumours of the splitting up of the cadres. On the 6th November the 6th Battalion was demobilised, and within a few days the personnel had been scattered to various battalions all over France.

After the war Ernest returned to Loughborough but left his wife. Details of his subsequent life and death are currently unknown.

Private 241462 Frederick James Bloodworth MM


1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously served as 4175

The London Gazette. Supplement 31338. 13 May 1919. p. 6026.

Frederick James Bloodworth was born in Loughborough on 3rd October 1895 and baptised on 3rd July 1896 at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. He was the son of Joseph Mitchell Bloodworth and his wife Phoebe Lydia (née Poole) who were married on 18th April 1893 at St. Peter's Church, Kirby Bellars, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Frederick had four brothers William, Bertram, Eric and Jack and one sister Grace. Three other siblings Mary and twins Louis and Louisa died in infancy.

When Frederick was born the family was living at 12 Bedford Square, Loughborough, but by 1901 had moved to 40 Union Street. Frederick's father was initially a farm labourer and he subsequently became a milk seller in Loughborough. In 1911 Frederick, aged 15, was an errand boy for a grocer.

Frederick's service record has not survived but he appears to have enlisted in about March 1915. He joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 4175 (later renumbered as 241462). His medal record indicates that he was not sent to France until after 1st January 1916.

In January 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in Marseilles about to sail for Egypt but the move was aborted, the battalion being returned to Candas, and the area of Vimy Ridge. In mid-February 1916 the battalion took over the line north of the River Ancre opposite Beaumont-Hamel in France. On 29th February the battalion moved to the area of Doullens where the men worked on improving the trenches despite being subjected to a considerable bombardment from the enemy with mines and craters being blown.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge, Pas de Calais, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers and then to billets in Luchaux for bayonet training. This was followed by a period at Souastre digging cable trenches and constructing bomb stores and gun pits in preparation for a 'big push'.

On 4th June 1916 the battalion was moved up to trenches near Gommecourt. This was followed by further training at Warlincourt. On 30th June the battalion assembled in a trench near Foncquevillers Church ready for the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the first day of the Somme Offensive planned for 1st July. In the attack at Gommecourt the 46th Division of the Army, of which the 1/5th Leicesters were part, suffered 2445 casualties.

On 7th July the battalion relieved the 4th Lincolnshires in the trenches opposite Essarts-lès-Bucquoy. The battalion remained in the area of Monchy-au-Bois until 29th October, either in the trenches or resting at Bienvillers or Pommier. The battalion's next move was to Millencourt for intensive battle training, returning to Halloy and then Souastre at the beginning of December.

The battalion remained at Souastre until 11th March 1917 and then moved once more up to the line taking over 2,600 yards of frontage from the La Brayelle road to the Hannescamps-Monchy road. On 17th March they moved into Gommecourt for road mending before moving to Bertrancourt, Raincheval and then Rainvillers not far from Amiens.

On 28th March the battalion marched to Saleux, entrained for Lillers in the north, and marched to Laires. Training took place until 13th April and continued for three further days at Manqueville, after which the battalion moved to the western outskirts of Lens. From there they marched to Bully-Grenay and went into the front line trenches where they were heavily shelled. On 29th April the battalion went into rest billets in cellars at Cité St. Pierre until 3rd May when they went into support trenches. On 8th they went into billets at Fosse 10 near Petit Sains for training and on 12th into reserve at Angres. Further trench tours south-west of Lens followed until 26th May when the battalion went into billets at Marqueffles Farm for training in bayonet fighting and bombardment and to practise methods of attack. On 6th June the battalion was back in the line and on 8th June went into the attack, suffering 96 casualties.

Apart from two breaks at Red Mill from 9th-13th and 18th-20th June the battalion was in the trenches until 22nd June. On 21st June C Coy was accidentally gassed by the Royal Engineers, resulting in 94 casualties of whom 22 died. Back at Marqueffles Farm from 22nd the battalion had Lewis gun and signalling classes as well as attack training over a flagged course. On 27th June the battalion moved up to the line ready to attack on the following day. As they climbed out of the trenches on 28th June they met with the inevitable machine gun fire and over the next two days 60 Ordinary Ranks were killed.

Relieved from the trenches at Liévin on 3rd July the battalion moved to Monchy-Breton for reorganisation and training until 22nd July when they moved to Vaudricourt before going into the line at Hulluch until 28th July. After respite at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was at Fouquières until 14th August, practising for an attack. Moving to Noyelles the battalion went into the trenches on 15th August and carried out a raid on the German trenches at Hulluch on the night of the 16th/17th August. After a break at Noyelles for training the battalion returned to the trenches. The end of August was spent at Philosophe, providing carrying parties.

During September, October and early November 1917 the battalion completed six trench tours at St. Elie, with breaks at Fouquières and Philosophe. During one tour the battalion was visited by a Mr. Wilkes of the Leicester Mail, 'attired in a grey suit, steel helmet and box respirator'. On 14th November the battalion moved to Mazingarbe for a trench tour in the Hill 70 sector. November ended with the battalion billeted at Verquin, Vaudricourt and Drouvin for training and a battle rehearsal.

Three more trench tours took place in December, this time in the Cambrin right sector where there were some very heavy bombardments and gas attacks by the enemy.

New Year's Day 1918 was marked by another heavy bombardment on the battalion's trenches near Hulluch. During early January when away from the front line the battalion also provided wire carrying parties and working parties. On 20th January the battalion began a four-day transfer by march to Chocques. Between 24th January and 28th February the battalion was in training at Chocques, Allouagne, Fiefs, and Reclinghem.

Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.

On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling. On 10th April the battalion moved back into Hill 70 support, but the back areas were filled with gas and the men were sent to Coupigny Huts, Bracquemont.

Training began on 15th April but two days later 100 men became sick with what the medical specialists considered to be influenza. Sixty men were evacuated and a special rest station was set up. Those men who were well were moved to Hersin and another 100 evacuated. On 24th April the battalion moved to Bruay and went into Reserve at Fouquières on 25th, only to be shelled in their billets. As the battalion was marching to the trenches at Le Hamel on 28th April the enemy opened fire near Essars. Three men were killed and thirty-five wounded or gassed.

The battalion reached the trenches on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans. During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel. Breaks were taken at Vaudricourt Park Camp and in August there were four days of training at Hesdigneul. The men also enjoyed a concert party by The Whizz-Bangs at Verquin.

By 7th August there were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and at the beginning of September, when the battalion pushed forward to Richebourg, they found a number of notices pinned up which said: 'Dear Tommy, You are welcome to all we are leaving. When we stop we shall stop and stop you in a manner you won't appreciate. Fritz.' The day after the note was found the battalion front was severely bombarded by the enemy.

From 9th -11th September the battalion was in training at Gosnay sandpits and between Béthune and Verquin. On 12th September they entrained at Chocques for Ribemont-Méricourt. Between 14th and 18th September they continued training, at Sailly-le-Sec in field firing and using a compass at night, at Franvillers in a Brigade tactical scheme, and at Teutry in attack procedure.

After this they marched to the Brigade support position in a newly captured sector east of Le Verguier and prepared for an attack on Pontruet. On 24th September the battalion took part in this operation before returning to the trenches at le Verguier.

A major operation was now being planned in the area of the St. Quentin Canal. This began on 29th September with an attack on the Hindenburg Line. The battalion advanced to the canal in artillery formation. After crossing the canal they advanced and secured Magny-la-Fosse on 1st October. On 3rd October 1918 A and D Coys, ordered to attack Doon Hill, formed up on the Preselles to Sequehart road. The battalion held this position until withdrawn to Etricourt on the night of 4th October. Between 5th and 11th October the battalion pressed forward towards Mericourt and Regnicourt before resting in billets at Fresnoy le Grand.

Between 11th and 15th October the battalion was held in reserve at Vaux-Andigny. On 17th and 18th they into the line near Mennevret. For the rest of the month the battalion remained in Fresnoy-le-Grand, training, refitting, and playing games. The battalion left Fresnoy on 1st November and marched to Becquigny in preparation for an attack on the German positions on the Sambre-Oise Canal on 4th November. In the attack the battalion succeeded in occupying positions near Bois l'Abbaye. Over the next few days the Germans continued to retreat and the battalion reached Zorees and then Sains.

After the Armistice the battalion moved to Bousies, in the Landrecies area. In January 1919 they moved to Pommereuil and demobilisation began. In 1919 Frederick was awarded a Military Medal.

After the war Frederick returned to Loughborough and became an iron moulder. Frederick's brother William who served in the Leicestershire Regiment and in the RAF also survived the war. Frederick's father Joseph also served in the Labour Corps but was not sent abroad.

On 1st September 1923 Frederick married Katie May Chapman, a cotton winder, at St. Peter's Church, Loughborough. In 1939 Frederick and Katie were living at 12 Woodthorpe Avenue, Loughborough, and Frederick was employed as a cinema attendant. Frederick died in 1965 in Loughborough.

Sergeant 13244 John William Briggs DCM  MM


8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Killed in Action 17th October 1917, Aged 22.

Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial panel 50 and 51.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30234.
14 August 1917. p. 8418.

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30512.
5 February 1918. p. 1728.

 


DCM Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a hostile attack.

He took his Lewis gun forward as soon as the enemy barrage began, and though the line was out-flanked, he remained in an isolated forward position until his gun was put out of action. He then went back, obtained another gun and kept it in action until the attack was beaten off. He showed the greatest courage and determination in a very difficult position.
'.






 

  




Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.


Private 40747 William Chadburn   MM



1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30897. 19 September 1918. p. 10762.


William Chadburn was born in Loughborough in 1897. He was the son of Arthur Chadburn and his wife Emma (née Darby) who were married at St. Mark's Church, Leicester, on 12th November 1892. William had two brothers Walter and Frederick. Another brother Arthur Junior died in infancy.

William's father was a boot and shoemaker and repairer and in 1901 the family lived at 125 Paget Street, Loughborough. After William's mother died, aged 38, in 1910, the family moved to 6 Rosebery Street and Arthur's father employed a housekeeper, Sarah Dean. In the early summer of 1911 Arthur's father married Sarah Dean in Loughborough.

Arthur enlisted at some point in 1915 but the precise date of his enlistment is unknown as his service papers have not survived. He joined the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 40747. His medal record indicates that he was not sent abroad to join the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment until at least 1916.

Between January and July 1916 the 1st Leicesters were on the Ypres Salient. On 1st August 1916 they left the trenches at Potizje and entrained at Proven for France. They reached billets at Lealvillers, Somme, on 4th August and on the following day marched to camp in Mailly-Maillet Wood. A period of training and working parties followed. On 14th August they went into the trenches opposite Beaumont-Hamel, where they remained until 19th when they returned to the Mailly Wood camp. On 27th August they left for Flesselles. Here additional training took place. On 8th September they occupied former German trenches in the area of Trônes Wood on the northern slope of the Montaubon Ridge while in the following days the build-up for a major battle, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, took place. The battle began on 15th September and lasted seven days and the battalion incurred grievous losses. The battalion was also in action in the Battle of Morval (25th-28th September). During part of the Battle of Le Transloy (1st October-5th November 1916) the 1st Leicesters were employed carrying up stores and providing stretcher and other parties for the front line troops.

By 21st October the battalion was back in billets at Corbie where it entrained three days later for Sorel before moving over several days to Fouquières-les-Béthune in the La Bassée sector.

Most of November was spent in training with one brief trench tour and December in the trenches at Cuinchy, with breaks at Beuvry and Christmas Day at Noeux-les-Mines.

January 1917 was spent in turns in the trenches and at rest in Mazingarbe. From 1st to 21st February many raids on the enemy were carried out after which the battalion marched via Sailly Labourse to the Montmorency Barracks at Béthune.

In March and April the battalion did trench tours on the front line north of the Double Crassier, Loos, before being withdrawn to billets at Maroc on 22nd April. May brought more trench tours in the front line at Loos, with breaks in billets at Les Brebis or Philosophe.

In June the battalion was instructed, while in training at Verquin, to mount a series of small operations to give the enemy the impression that an attack was about to take place. In July Canadian forces took over in the area to attack Hill 70 and the battalion was withdrawn to the area of Monchy-Breton, proceeding by lorries to Magnicourt-en-Compte. After being briefly ordered to assist at the time of the gas shelling of Armentières, a brief period at Fleubaix, and time in the reserve line at La Boutillerie the battalion returned to Magnicourt on August 5th. At the end of August the Division returned to the Hill 70 front and went into reserve at a camp in Houchin.

In September there were front and support line trench tours at Hill 70, Les Brebis and Cité St. Pierre. At the end of September the battalion was in south Maroc and early in October at Noeux les Mines before going into the trenches in the St. Emile sector. From Mazingarbe on 21st October the battalion moved to Ligny-lez-Aire and then to Manin for training until 14th November. On 15th November the battalion entrained at Frevent for Péronne and marched to Moislains. After a couple of days under canvas at Dessart Wood the battalion moved forward to the front line at Beaucamp and on 20th November, the first day of the Battle of Cambrai, successfully attacked part of the Hindenburg Line. The battalion was relieved on 26th November and moved to another section of the front line near Noyelles where they suffered heavy enemy bombardment and shelling but nevertheless helped to achieve an advance to Gouzeaucourt.

On 1st December the battalion was at Nine Wood and was heavily shelled before being relieved and moving to new positions on the Premy-Flesquières Ridge. On 5th December the battalion moved again to positions in the front line on the Hindenburg support system where they remained until 13th December. From 14th December until the end of the year the battalion was at Bellacourt undergoing training.

In the early part of January 1918 the battalion was at Courcelles but on 18th went into the trenches on the Moeuvres front. Rest periods were taken at Luck and Lindop Camps near Fremicourt. On February 19th and 20th the battalion moved to the Lagnicourt area, where, when out of the line, they provided large working parties for work on the defences.

There were now strong rumours that the enemy was preparing a large offensive and great efforts were made to obtain information through patrols and raids. On 15th March the front line company of the battalion managed to capture a propaganda balloon laden with ten copies of the Gazette des Ardennes, a paper published in French by the Germans for distribution among the inhabitants of occupied territory. On 17th March the battalion had gone back into Brigade Reserve.

On 21st March 1918 the enemy launched their Spring Offensive. When the order to 'Stand To' in battle positions early on 21st March came through to the1st Leicesters some of the men could not immediately be reached as they were detached on work elsewhere.

The battalion nevertheless put up a determined defence. By the evening of 21st March, however, C Company had only 1 Officer and 37 Other Ranks left. On 22nd March the enemy put down a very heavy barrage and increased pressure all along the line. When the Germans advanced rapidly between the Lagnicourt to Maricourt Wood road and Vaulx Wood both C and D Companies of the battalion were practically destroyed.

The battalion was then withdrawn to Berkeley Camp, Bihucourt, and then to Puisieux-au-Mont where, on 24th March, they entrained for Doullens. After a night at J Camp the battalion entrained for Proven. On 27th March the battalion moved to Winnizeele where reorganisation and training took place until 1st April.

On 2nd April the battalion travelled via Ypres Asylum to Belgian Chateau Camp and on the next day proceeded into the front line in the Reutel sub-sector. This area was chiefly duckboard tracks, water, shell-holes and mud and much work was done on the trenches. On 11th April the battalion entrained for a camp at Belgian Battery Corner where they remained for two days. On 13th April the battalion moved, partly by bus, to Dranoutre and into the front line.

After being heavily shelled for two days the battalion was withdrawn to a support position in a valley on the west side of Mount Kemmel. On 19th they moved into the front line for two days before being relieved and moving via Westoutre to Vancouver Camp, Vlamertinghe. Here they provided working parties. On 27th April the battalion moved to a new position at Kemmel from where the enemy was heavily defeated on the following day.

On 1st-11th May the battalion was in Divisional reserve at Vlamertinghe for work on the Switch line. From 12th-16th May they were at Belgian Chateau carrying wire and stakes to the front line, but during this time a lot of the men were falling sick. The remainder of the month was spent in the support and front lines at Chateau Segard near Vormezeele and they suffered a heavy bombardment of enemy gas shells

On 18th May the battalion was sent to the front and support lines in the Chateau Ségard sector, near Voormezeele. During this trench tour they experienced enemy gas shelling and heavy artillery fire at night. On 26th May they moved to the Ravine in Brigade support and on the following day the enemy began a heavy bombardment, including gas shells, of the support lines and back areas.

From 30th May - 6th June the battalion was back in the front and support lines at Chateau Ségard. The enemy restarted shelling, including ordinary gas shells as well as those containing sneezing gas. Hostile aeroplanes were also very active. The battalion was relieved on 6th June, their relief being hampered by another hostile gas shelling attack, and moved to Dirty Bucket Camp, about two miles north-west of Vlamertinghe. Here, after inspections and cleaning up, the battalion provided working parties for the Vlamertinghe, Brandhoek and Poperinghe lines and also attended Lewis gun classes.

On 13th June 120 men became sick with influenza and on the following day 60 men were sent to hospital. The battalion was moved to School Camp near Poperinghe for further training and cases of flu continued to appear. The sickness is likely to have been the so-called 'Spanish flu', the first cases of which appeared in Belgium around this time.

On 20th June the battalion entrained at Proven for St. Omer and marched to Musketry Camp, Cornette. Here the men had four days' practice in rapid loading, trigger pressing and field firing. On 25th June the battalion entrained at St. Omer for Mendighem and marched to Rainsford Camp near Watou where training continued. Additional training took place in the Hagebaert area near Poperinghe until 5th July.

On 6th July the battalion went into the trenches in the front line of the Dickebusch Lake sector. The trenches here were in a very bad condition and owing to the proximity of Mount Kemmel all movements were easily observed by the enemy. All available men were used carrying materials to the front line, often amid enemy action. A trench tour on the Vyverbeek line followed. On 25th July the battalion withdrew to positions in the right sector of Westoutre and worked at night on cable burying.

From 3rd August the battalion was in support in the Dickebusch Lake sector, and from 6th-16th August held the front line. After being relieved they moved to Brigade reserve in the Dickebusch sector and were employed in working parties until 22nd August. On 23rd August the battalion entrained at Wellington Junction near Ouderdom, travelled by light railway to Winnezeele, changed trains for St. Momelin, and marched from there to Tilques. Training began on 26th and included practice in marshalling and escorting prisoners. On 29th August the battalion marched to Mentque for sports.

From Mentque on 1st September the battalion entrained at St. Omer for Corbie and marched to Franvillers. From 3rd-10th September there was training in attack technique and open warfare. On 11th they moved to Daours and three days later to Monchy-Lagache by bus.

Preparations were now made for an attack. On 17th September the battalion moved to the concentration area in Jean Devaux Wood where they were shelled twice and then through heavy rain, dense mist and shelling to Holnon Wood. During the concentration of troops on 18th September preparatory to an attack 50 casualties were sustained.

The attack near Holnon began on 19th September, continued in stages until 24th September, and was very successful. After the attack the battalion went into reserve in the Fresnoy sector. On 29th September the battalion moved to the Bouvincourt- Vraignes area and on 4th October proceeded by bus and route march to Magny-la-Fosse.

In September 1918 William was awarded the Military Medal.

An attack was now planned on the Méricourt Ridge and this took place between 9th and 11th October amid very heavy enemy machine gun fire. The battalion was then relieved and had two days rest in huts north of Bohain. Back at the front between 14th and 17th October they were still unable to dislodge the enemy from the ridge. On 23rd another attack was made and the enemy began to retire across the Sambre Canal. The allies then crossed the canal and the battalion was able to rest at St. Souplet and Fresnoy-le-Grand. The battalion was in Bohain when the Armistice was declared. Between 14th November and 15th December the battalion moved through Belgium into Germany. Demobilisation began at Wesseling, near Cologne, on 29th December 1918.

William's brother Walter also served with the Leicestershire Regiment and, like William, survived the war. William returned to |Loughborough and in the early summer of 1920 married Edith Minnie Ward. They had one daughter, also called Edith. In 1939 William and Edith were living at 12 Grange Street, Loughborough, and William was employed as a builder's labourer. William died in Leicester in 1968.

Sergeant 18397 Albert Ernest Coulson  MM

 

7th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Killed in action 27th May 1918, Aged 22.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30940. 7 October 1918. p. 11827.  

 

 



 

 

  

Corporal 13999 Percy Godfrey Dakin MM

 

C' Coy 8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Killed in action 25th September 1916, Aged 29.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29805.
27 October 1916. p. 10478.

           

 


Private 10530 John Darby MM

6th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30234.
14 August 1917. p. 8419.                  
 

 
John Thomas Darby, known to his family and friends as 'Jack', was born in Loughborough on 10th October 1896. He was the only son of Richard William Darby and his wife Charlotte (née Higham) who were married at St. Mary's Church, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire, on 4th July 1887. Jack had five sisters Honor, Ruth, Eva, Kathleen and May. Another sister Gladys died aged 9 in 1902.

Jack's father was a grocer's waggoner and the Darby family lived at 39 Station Street, Loughborough. On 13th July 1910 Jack's father died in Derby Infirmary. In 1911 Jack, aged 14, was a file rubber for a brickmaker. Between 1911 and 1914 he began an apprenticeship at Messrs Messenger and Co., horticultural engineers.

John enlisted when war broke out and joined the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. He was sent to Bordon, near Aldershot, Hampshire, where the emphasis was on individual training, squadron and platoon drill. In March 1915 the battalion went into billets in Liphook. In April 1915 the 6th Battalion became part of the 37th Division of the Army and concentrated at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. On 25th June the 37th Division was inspected by King George V at Sidbury Hill. On 22nd July 1915 the Division began to cross the English Channel and by 2nd August all units were concentrated near Tilques not far from St.Omer in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Jack arrived in France on 30th July 1915.

In September Jack's battalion was sent to the area of Berles-au-Bois, south-west of Arras and near the front line. In the months that followed the 6th Battalion did tours in the trenches, alternating with the 8th Leicesters who relieved them. The battalion was engaged in localised operations seeking a tactical advantage and remained in the area around Bienvillers and Bailleulmont until July 1916.

On 1st July 1916 the 6th Battalion moved from Saulty to Humbercamps, where it was held in reserve for the Somme Offensive which had just begun. On 6th July the battalion marched to Talmas to join the Army's 21st Division. From 7th to 10th July the battalion was in Hengest-sur-Somme, and from there on 10th marched to Ailly, entrained for Méricourt, took buses to Méaulte, and then proceeded to Fricourt. Between 14th and 17th July the battalion took part in an attack on and successfully captured Bazentin-le-Petit Wood and village. On 20th July the battalion entrained at Ribemont and detrained at Saleux, after which they marched to Hengest. Travelling part of the way in lorries and part of the way on foot they reached Arras on 27th July and relieved the 8th Leicesters in the trenches on 7th August. The remainder of August was spent in the trenches and in billets in Arras.

At some point in July 1916 Jack was wounded but the details are unavailable as his service record has not survived.

On 4th September the battalion left Arras for Liencourt and after a week there for training moved to Fricourt and Bernafay Wood, east of Montauban-de-Picardie. Here from 19th to 24th September the men were employed in the improvement of communication and support trenches in preparation for a forthcoming attack on Gueudecourt. On 25th September the 6th Leicesters moved up to the assembly trenches in order to be ready to support the 8th and 9th Leicesters as they advanced. Progress was made north and east of Gueudecourt but as the Leicesters consolidated their position the village itself and its approaches were heavily bombarded by the enemy. This situation remained the same over the next few days. After the attack the battalion returned to bivouac at Bernafay Wood.

On 4th October the battalion began a three-day transfer by train and route march to Sailly-Labourse and began trench tours in the Hohenzollern Sector near Vermelles. They remained in the front line, in the support trenches or in Reserve until mid-December when they moved to Auchel. From 21st December 1916 to 28th January 1917 the battalion was in training at Auchel.

The battalion continued training at Houtkerque until mid-February 1917. Trench tours at Noyelles and Vermelles followed until the beginning of April when the battalion transferred to Hamelincourt. From 11th to 13th April the battalion was in action at the start of the Arras Offensive and on 3rd May in an attack on Fontaines les Croisilles.

On the following day the battalion moved to the support posts on the Sunken Road, staying there until 8th May when they moved to the forward posts. Relieved on 11th May they marched to the railway bank and on 12th May to billets in Berles-au-Bois. The remainder of May was spent resting and training in musketry and tactical schemes. From 1st-7th June two companies of the battalion worked on improving C Camp at Moyenville whilst the other two companies worked for the Royal Engineers digging communication trenches in Sunken Road. Following this the battalion returned to the trenches at Croisilles, taking the front line from 11th-19th June. Here they were heavily shelled. From C Camp at Moyenville on 20th June the battalion moved to Hendecourt-les-Ransart for rest, training and field firing.

Back in Divisional Reserve at Moyenville on 1st July the battalion moved back into the front line and support trenches at Croisilles from 8th July until 1st August. From 1st-9th August there was training at Moyenville as well as working parties at St. Leger prior to another trench tour at Croisilles until 17th. August concluded with training at Hamelincourt and Manin.

Citation

'During a heavy counter-attack, and under very heavy shell fire, under-took the hazardous duty of carrying rations to the advanced trenches, and he managed to do this work, although passing through the barrage several times.'
In August 1917 Jack was awarded the Military Medal. He was presented with the medal by the Mayor of Loughborough Mr. W. W. Coltman. According to a newspaper report 'His Worship in making the presentation, at the Loughborough Hospital, said he had arranged with the hospital authorities to make these presentations from the hospital. Many of the presentations had to be hurriedly arranged, and by holding them at the hospital he was certain of an appreciative audience of wounded soldiers who were always ready to acknowledge bravery. This particular act was more of the cold-blooded type of courage, for it was not done in the heat of battle - he left it to his audience to determine which was the highest form of courage'.

In the first two weeks of September the 6th Battalion was occupied with training, sports and a military gymkhana at Manin. On 16th September the battalion entrained at Savy for Caestre and continued training there and at Fontaine Houck until 25th September. On 26th they moved by bus to a camp on the road between La Clytte and Dickebusch and immediately marched to Scottish Wood and Bedford House. The battalion moved up to the line on the Ypres-Menin Road near Hooge on 30th September.

On October 1st they moved into reserve in Polygon Wood before being relieved for two days. On 4th October the battalion moved to Zillebeke Lake and consolidated in front of Polygon Wood. From 5th - 8th October the battalion was in the front line, after which they moved to Scottish Wood Camp. A two-day break at Ebblinghem was followed by a return to Scottish Wood Camp to provide a working party for the Royal Engineers and also for instruction until 22nd October. On 23rd October the battalion moved to a new camp which was a complete sea of mud. On 29th October they returned to the front line and suffered from a heavy enemy barrage. On 5th November they marched to Brewery Camp, Dickebusch. The battalion was back in the front line at Zillebeke on 11th November. Between 16th and 21st November the battalion was on a six-day march from Scottish Wood, via Reninghelst, Le Chien Blanc, Neuf Berquin and Annezin to Coupigny before moving to Monchy-Breton for training.

On 30th November the battalion received sudden orders to march to Savy and entrain for Tincourt. From there they marched via Buire to Villers-Faucon and on 4th December relieved the 7th Leicesters in the front line at Epehy. Four days later the battalion went into reserve at the railway embankment. Three more trench tours took up the remainder of December with breaks at Villers-Faucon and Saulcourt. In the front line it was bitterly cold, with drifting snow up to four feet in the trenches. The battalion finally enjoyed Christmas dinner on 3rd January 1918.

Back in Divisional Reserve on 4th January the battalion provided working parties for tunnelling and construction of dugouts until 15th January when they moved to a camp at Liéramont. Following another trench tour at Epehy where, amid shelling, extensive patrolling was carried out the battalion completed night work on the village defences.

After two more trench tours the battalion proceeded by march and light railway to Haut Allaines on 7th February. Here, as well as resting and cleaning up the battalion was reorganised and took part in range firing practice and other training. They also attended a concert by the Soarers. After moving to Don Camp, Moislains, to join their Brigade the men were inspected by Sir Douglas Haig. Further training followed until 18th February when the battalion returned to camp at Lieramont to work on the Green Line at Rue du Quinceonce and then on the Yellow Line at Epehy.

From 1st to 7th March every available man was employed constructing posts in Epehy and on the Yellow and Red Lines as well as improving village defences under the Royal Engineers. On 16th March a very successful raid was made on the enemy lines. From 17th-20th March the battalion was in support before being ordered to take up battle positions.

On 21st March the Germans opened their Spring Offensive and broke through part of the British line. The British counter-attacked with tanks. On 22nd March the enemy began an intense bombardment and their snipers began to encroach to the rear of part of the British line. The battalion was forced to fight a rear-guard action and then withdraw to Longavesnes where they were heavily shelled. Between the 23rd and 30th March the battalion was forced into a withdrawal to Ribemont, Heilly and finally to Allonville. Casualties in the battalion between 21st and 30th March numbered 463.

On 1st April the battalion entrained at St. Roch, Amiens, for Hopoutre and travelled by lorry to Wakefield Camp, Locre. From there they moved via Alberta Camp, Westoutre, to Ramilles Camp, Kemmel, for two days of training. After a further two days at De Zon Camp the battalion proceeded by light railway to the front near Lambton. Here, on 10th April an enemy plane dropped bombs on the battalion's lines and enemy snipers were very active. In spite of enemy interference the battalion completed wiring work for the Royal Engineers before moving to Zillebeke Lake to work on a new line and establish strongpoints from French Farm to Convent Lane. They also prepared unnecessary bridges for destruction, recaptured Image Wood, and repulsed the enemy from an attack on a post.

On 25th April the enemy launched a hostile bombardment with high explosive and gas shells. One gas shell entered the H.Q. runners' dug out and all runners and signallers were gassed. On 28th April part of the battalion formed a defensive flank from Hazelbury Farm to Iron Bridge and was heavily bombarded by the enemy.

Relieved on 1st May the battalion marched via Watou to the Lederzeele area west of Buysscheure and on 4th May entrained at Wizernes for Lhéry. Training then took place at a camp east of Lagery until 12th May. Between 13th and 15th May the battalion proceeded via Bouvancourt and Hermonville and went into the line between Cauroy and Cormicy. Between 21st and 26th May the battalion was in Divisional reserve at D Camp, Chalons-le-Vergeur.

On 27th May the battalion took part in the 3rd Battle of the Aisne during which the Germans succeeded in pushing the Allies across the Aisne and down as far as the Marne at Chateau Thierry, capturing the towns of Soissons and Fère-en-Tardenois as they did so. This cost the battalion 379 casualties.

After the battle the battalion moved to Etréchy and on 3rd June marched to Courjeonnet. Between 9th and 14th June training took place at Moeurs, after which the battalion moved by lorry, train and bus to Rambures, Somme. The rest of June was spent at Bazinval, in training.

During July the battalion spent some time at Arqéves for training in musketry and tactical schemes and the rest of the month in the front and support lines at Acheux. The first three weeks of August were taken up with a lengthy trench tour west of Hamel and working parties at Englebelmer.

On 21st August the battalion moved to the assembly positions west of Hamel and went into the advance, but were compelled to withdraw because of the opposition. Subsequent attacks on the following days were more successful and they followed through Le Sars to Eaucourt l'Abbé despite a hostile counter-attack. On 26th August the battalion moved to Warlencourt in Divisional reserve and two days later into the frontline at Butte de Warlencourt.

On 1st September the battalion took part in an attack of Beaulencourt. Between 4th and 11th September they moved via Villars-au-Flos, Manancourt and Equancourt to Heudecourt where they went into the line on 12th September. On 18th September they took part in an attack at Heudecourt, after which they moved to Etricourt and rested. They then moved to Sord-le-Grand and went into the line in the Gauche Wood sector. On 29th September the enemy attacked but then withdrew and the battalion pursued them to Villers-Guislain.

October began with a break at Gouzeaucourt followed by a trench tour in support at Banteauzelle. The battalion then made a successful attack on the Beauvoir Line before marching to Caullery on 10th October. At Caullery reorganisation and training took place until 21st October. On 23rd October the battalion made another successful attack near Amerval. At the end of October the battalion was in the trenches at Poix-du-Nord.

At the beginning of November the battalion was in billets at Orvillers. On 6th November they crossed the River Sambre at Berlaimont but were initially unable to advance any further because of enemy machine gun fire. Eventually they succeeded in advancing through Bachant before being ordered to withdraw to Berlaimont. On Armistice Day they marched to Beaufort.

The battalion remained at Beaufort for training, parades and sports until 12th December. Between 13th and 16th December they moved via Berlaimont, Vendigies, Inchy and Ferriers to Guignemicourt. Here recreational training and education classes took place until early March 1919. Jack was discharged from the Army on 3rd March 1919.

Jack returned to Loughborough and became an iron moulder. On 24th May 1920 he married Frances Adeline Allett at All Saints Church, Loughborough. They firstly lived at 5 Hartington Street and then moved to 18 Knightthorpe Road. They had three children Derrick, Faith and Elinda.

Jack died on 17th April 1979, aged 82, at 14 Thorpe Acre Road, Loughborough.

 

Private 240294 Robert Downs MM & Bar.

1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.


The London Gazette. Supplement 30287.
14 September 1917. p. 9606.  
          


R. Downs on the right

Robert Downs was born in Shepshed or Loughborough in 1895. He was the son of Robert Downs (Senior) and his wife Mary Ann (née Moore) who were married in Loughborough in 1891. Robert had five brothers Hezekiah, Edward, Harry, Mark and Elijah and two sisters Polly and Mary. He also had four half-brothers Amos, William, Enoch and Charles Moore and two half-sisters Rebecca and Eliza Moore, the father or fathers of whom are unknown and who were all born before Robert's mother married Robert Downs (Senior).

Robert (Senior) was a labourer in a hosiery factory. In 1901 the family lived at 45 Pinfold Street, Loughborough, but by 1908 they had moved to Bridge Street, and by 1911 to 76 Regent Street. After 1911 they moved to 6 Warner's Lane. Between 1898 and 1908 Robert (Senior) was fined three times for poaching and once for using obscene language. After he died in 1915, aged 67, Robert's mother moved to Wellington Street.

In 1911 Robert, aged 16, was a core maker. He enlisted shortly before or in the early days of the war, but the precise date is not known as his service papers have not survived. He joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 1855 (later re-numbered as 240294).

The 1/5th Battalion was mobilised in August 1914 and assembled on 13th August at Duffield. After a training period in Luton, Bishop's Stortford, Ware and Sawbridgeworth the battalion entrained at Harlow for Southampton on 25th February 1915. The battalion sailed for France on the SS Duchess of Argyll and the SS Atalanta on the following day in very rough seas.

After arriving in Le Havre on 27th February they travelled by train via Rouen, Abbeville and St. Omer to Arneke where they detrained for Hardifort. Between 5th and 9th March the battalion was in the trenches near Armentières. On 10th and 11th March the battalion, which had moved to Strazeele, was in training. The battalion then proceeded to Sailly-sur-la-Lys and was held in reserve for, but did not take part in, the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10th-13th March 1915). Training continued at Doulieu and Bailleul until 3rd April.

On 4th April the battalion went into the trenches near Wulverghem where they were subjected to shelling and continual sniping by the enemy. Relieved on 9th April they proceeded to Dranoutre. They returned to the trenches near Hill 60 on 13th April, and then moved on to Zillebeke, followed by a tour in the area of Mount Kemmel.

From June to September 1915 the battalion remained in the area of Zillebeeke and Ouderdom, before being ordered to proceed towards Loos in October. On 12th October 1915 the battalion travelled to the Hohenzollern Redoubt, arriving in Vermelles at 10.00pm. They spent the next eight hours in communication trenches. On 13th October 1915 during the attack on the Redoubt, part of the final stages of the Battle of Loos, the 1/5th Battalion was in reserve until just after midday, when they 'went over the top' and came under intense machine gun fire. After the battle the battalion was reorganised at La Couture, Merville and Thuenne.

January 1916 was taken up with a potential move of the 1/5th Leicesters to Egypt which was aborted at Marseilles, the battalion being returned to Candas, and the area of Vimy Ridge. In mid-February 1916 the 1/5th Battalion took over the line north of the River Ancre opposite Beaumont-Hamel in France. On 29th February the battalion moved to the area of Doullens where the men worked on improving the trenches despite being subjected to a considerable bombardment from the enemy with mines and craters being blown.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge, Pas de Calais, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers and then to billets in Luchaux for bayonet training. This was followed by a period at Souastre digging cable trenches, and constructing bomb stores and gun pits in preparation for a 'big push'.

On 4th June 1916 the battalion was moved up to trenches near Gommecourt. This was followed by further training at Warlincourt. On 30th June the battalion assembled in a trench near Foncquevillers Church ready for the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the first day of the Somme Offensive planned for 1st July. In the attack at Gommecourt the 46th Division of the Army, of which the 1/5th Leicesters were part, suffered 2445 casualties.

On 7th July the battalion relieved the 4th Lincolnshires in the trenches opposite Essarts-lès-Bucquoy. The battalion remained in the area of Monchy-au-Bois until 29th October, either in the trenches or resting at Bienvillers or Pommier. The battalion's next move was to Millencourt for intensive battle training, returning to Halloy and then Souastre at the beginning of December.

The battalion remained at Souastre until 11th March 1917 and then moved once more up to the line taking over 2,600 yards of frontage from the La Brayelle road to the Hannescamps-Monchy road. On 17th March they moved into Gommecourt for road mending before moving to Bertrancourt, Raincheval and then Rainvillers not far from Amiens.

On 28th March the battalion marched to Saleux, entrained for Lillers in the north, and marched to Laires. Training took place until 13th April and continued for three further days at Manqueville, after which the battalion moved to the western outskirts of Lens. From there they marched to Bully-Grenay and went into the front line trenches where they were heavily shelled. On 29th April the battalion went into rest billets in cellars at Cité St. Pierre until 3rd May when they went into support trenches. On 8th they went into billets at Fosse 10 near Petit Sains for training and on 12th into reserve at Angres. Further trench tours south-west of Lens followed until 26th May when the battalion went into billets at Marqueffles Farm for training in bayonet fighting and bombardment and to practise methods of attack. On 6th June the battalion was back in the line and on 8th June went into the attack, suffering 96 casualties.

Apart from two breaks at Red Mill from 9th-13th and 18th-20th June the battalion was in the trenches until 22nd June. On 21st June C Coy was accidentally gassed by the Royal Engineers, resulting in 94 casualties of whom 22 died. Back at Marqueffles Farm from 22nd the battalion had Lewis gun and signalling classes as well as attack training over a flagged course. On 27th June the battalion moved up to the line ready to attack on the following day. As they climbed out of the trenches on 28th June they met with the inevitable machine gun fire and over the next two days 60 Ordinary Ranks were killed. During this action Robert was wounded. He was taken to No. 4 Stationary Hospital at St. Omer with shell-shock. On 20th July he was discharged to No. 7 Convalescent Camp at Boulogne.

Robert had rejoined his battalion by 28th July when they went into the line at Hulluch. Here, according to Hills in his account of The Fifth Leicestershire Regiment, (1919) one afternoon 'was far from quiet, and for several hours our new line was heavily shelled. In addition to the usual field batteries, there was one heavy gun which fired continuously on "A" Company's lines, obtaining a direct hit on Company Headquarters. Capt. Petch and 2nd Lieut. Campbell were both buried but not seriously hurt. Serjt. Ault, the acting Serjeant-Major, Wheeldon and Stevenson, the two runners, all three old soldiers of exceptional ability, were killed. Raven, another runner, was wounded, Downs had already been hit, and was again severely shaken, but both these stayed at duty, while they helped Lilley and Balderstone, who pluckily came along, to dig out those who were buried. In all twenty-eight were wounded, making our casualties for the battle three officers and ninety other ranks'.

After respite at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was at Fouquières until 14th August, practising for an attack. Moving to Noyelles the battalion went into the trenches on 15th August and carried out a raid on the German trenches at Hulluch on the night of the 16th/17th August. After a break at Noyelles for training the battalion returned to the trenches. The end of August was spent at Philosophe, providing carrying parties.

During September, October and early November 1917 the battalion completed six trench tours at St. Elie, with breaks at Fouquières and Philosophe. During one tour the battalion was visited by a Mr. Wilkes of the Leicester Mail, 'attired in a grey suit, steel helmet and box respirator'. On 14th November the battalion moved to Mazingarbe for a trench tour in the Hill 70 sector. November ended with the battalion billeted at Verquin, Vaudricourt and Drouvin for training and a battle rehearsal.

Three more trench tours took place in December, this time in the Cambrin right sector where there were some very heavy bombardments and gas attacks by the enemy.

New Year's Day 1918 was marked by another heavy bombardment on the battalion's trenches near Hulluch. During early January when away from the front line the battalion also provided wire carrying parties and working parties. On 20th January the battalion began a four-day transfer by march to Chocques. Between 24th January and 28th February the battalion was in training at Chocques, Allouagne, Fiefs, and Reclinghem.

Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.

On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling. On 10th April the battalion moved back into Hill 70 support, but the back areas were filled with gas and the men were sent to Coupigny Huts, Bracquemont.

Training began on 15th April but two days later 100 men became sick with what the medical specialists considered to be influenza. Sixty men were evacuated and a special rest station was set up. Those men who were well were moved to Hersin and another 100 evacuated. On 24th April the battalion moved to Bruay and went into Reserve at Fouquières on 25th, only to be shelled in their billets. As the battalion was marching to the trenches at Le Hamel on 28th April the enemy opened fire near Essars. Three men were killed and thirty-five wounded or gassed.

The battalion reached the trenches on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans. During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel. Breaks were taken at Vaudricourt Park Camp and in August there were four days of training at Hesdigneul. The men also enjoyed a concert party by The Whizz-Bangs at Verquin.

By 7th August there were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and at the beginning of September, when the battalion pushed forward to Richebourg, they found a number of notices pinned up which said: 'Dear Tommy, You are welcome to all we are leaving. When we stop we shall stop and stop you in a manner you won't appreciate. Fritz.' The day after the note was found the battalion front was severely bombarded by the enemy.

From 9th -11th September the battalion was in training at Gosnay sandpits and between Béthune and Verquin. On 12th September they entrained at Chocques for Ribemont-Méricourt. Between 14th and 18th September they continued training, at Sailly-le-Sec in field firing and using a compass at night, at Franvillers in a Brigade tactical scheme, and at Teutry in attack procedure.

After this they marched to the Brigade support position in a newly captured sector east of Le Verguier and prepared for an attack on Pontruet. On 24th September the battalion took part in this operation before returning to the trenches at le Verguier. Again, according to Hills, at Pontruet 'In the centre there was more fighting, and while L/Cpls. Downs and Starbuck and Pte. Meakin led their parties through with tremendous dash, one Lewis Gun section under Dakin, a 'shot through both thighs almost at once, so that there was no one left to work the gun. However, Hyden, an untrained soldier, came forward and fired the gun, while Dakin, bleeding freely and with both thighs broken, lay beside him and corrected stoppages, until he succumbed to his injuries'.

A major operation was now being planned in the area of the St. Quentin Canal. This began on 29th September with an attack on the Hindenburg Line. The battalion advanced to the canal in artillery formation. Hills recorded that 'At 1-40 p.m. our barrage started and our advance began; our shelling was slightly ragged in one or two places, but for the most part it was very accurate-wonderfully so, as guns were firing at extreme range. On the right "A" Company working along, and on both sides of an old trench, reached their objective without difficulty except for the shelling which, aimed at the Tanks, was falling all round the Company. Captain Petch, after L/Cpl. Downs and others had removed some twenty-one Boches from a hole under the road, made his Headquarters there, went round his outposts, and sent patrols out to his right flank, where the Sherwood Foresters, delayed in Bellenglise, had not yet reached Lehaucourt'.

After crossing the canal they advanced and secured Magny-la-Fosse on 1st October. On 3rd October 1918 A and D Coys, ordered to attack Doon Hill, formed up on the Preselles to Sequehart road. The battalion held this position until withdrawn to Etricourt on the night of 4th October. Between 5th and 11th October the battalion pressed forward towards Mericourt and Regnicourt before resting in billets at Fresnoy le Grand.

Between 11th and 15th October the battalion was held in reserve at Vaux-Andigny. On 17th and 18th they into the line near Mennevret. For the rest of the month the battalion remained in Fresnoy-le-Grand, training, refitting, and playing games. The battalion left Fresnoy on 1st November and marched to Becquigny in preparation for an attack on the German positions on the Sambre-Oise Canal on 4th November. In the attack the battalion succeeded in occupying positions near Bois l'Abbaye. Over the next few days the Germans continued to retreat and the battalion reached Zorees and then Sains.

After the Armistice the battalion moved to Bousies, in the Landrecies area. In January 1919 they moved to Pommereuil and demobilisation began.

Robert was discharged on 1st March 1919. He had been promoted to Lance Corporal and awarded the Military Medal with a Bar.

Robert returned to Loughborough and on 28th June 1919 he married Ellen Louisa Butler at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. Between 1919 and 1931 Robert and Ellen lived at various addresses in Loughborough: 29 Woodgate, 1 Rutland Street, 6 Mills Yard, and 4 Mills Yard. In 1939 they were living at 155 Park Road and Robert was employed as a labourer. They had three children Robert Junior, Henry and Jean. Robert died on 23rd February 1953, his address at the time being given as 8 Bedford Square.

Lance Corporal 12857 Walter Gould MM

 

7th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Killed in Action 28th April 1918, Aged 27.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29758.
19 September 1916. p. 9201

 



Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.



Driver 72831 Ernest Arthur Grimbley MM

 

Royal Field Artillery

The London Gazette. Supplement 30962. 18 October 1918. p.12407. 

 

Ernest Arthur Grimbley was born in Loughborough on 21st April 1894 and baptised on 23rd May 1894 at All Saints Church, Loughborough. He was the son of Ernest Grimbley (Senior) and his wife Prudence (née Lester) who were married at All Saints Church, Loughborough, on 23rd November 1890. Ernest Arthur had three brothers Frederick, George and Leonard and one sister Alice. At least four other siblings died young.

Ernest Grimbley (Senior) was a house painter and in 1894 the family lived at 10 Nottingham Road, Loughborough. By 1901 they had moved to 63 Court A, Ashby Square and by 1911 to 41 Falcon Street. Ernest Arthur's first job was as a general labourer in a brickyard but between 1911 and 1914 he found employment at Cartwright and Warner's hosiery works.

Ernest Arthur's service record has not survived but he appears to have enlisted in 1914 or early 1915. He joined the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) as Driver 72831 and was sent to France on 30th July 1915. The artillery brigade with which he served is unknown but it has been recorded that he was slightly wounded in 1915.

Drivers in the RFA cared for and maintained the horses, harness and wagons needed to move the artillery pieces around the battlefield. Each driver controlled a team of (up to) six horses from a mounted position on the lead, offside horse and it was a specialist qualification. Ernest is likely to have served with a Brigade Ammunition Column.

Operated by the Royal Field Artillery, a Brigade Ammunition Column (BAC) was responsible for transporting all the ammunition, both artillery and small arms, for the Brigade. It collected ammunition from the Army Service Corps Divisional Ammunition Park for onward transportation by horse-drawn wagons to a re-filling point where it could be transferred to a Brigade Ammunition Column. In May 1916, when Brigade Ammunition Columns were dispensed with, the Divisional Ammunition Column became responsible for transporting the ammunition to a re-filling point where it could be collected by ammunition wagons belonging to the individual batteries.

At any one time, a Divisional Ammunition Column, together with the tactical units of the Division held one scale of ammunition (the designated allocation of ammunition for the division). A second scale of ammunition was stored in the Divisional Ammunition Park whilst a third scale was stored in the Ordnance Depot.

A Divisional Ammunition Column was comprised of four Sections, namely, Nos.1, 2 and 3 Sections which handled 18-pounder and small-arms ammunition, and No 4 Section which had a 'Howitzer portion' for 4.5-inch ammunition.

Ernest was awarded the Military Medal in 1918 for saving ammunition under heavy shell fire. Both Ernest and his brother Frederick, who served with the Leicestershire Regiment, survived the war.

On 28th February 1920 Ernest married Florence Beatrice Ward, at All Saints Church, Loughborough and the couple set up home at 33 Falcon Street, Loughborough, near Ernest's parents. At the time of his marriage Ernest was employed as a scourer. Ernest and Florence had five children Beatrice, Florence, Ernest, Hazel and Anthony but Anthony died in infancy. In 1939 Ernest was working as a general labourer for Loughborough corporation. He died in Loughborough in 1969.

 

Signaller 127310 Joseph Henry Grudgings  MM

 

A Bty, 241st Bde, Royal Field Artillery

The London Gazette. Issue 31405. 13 June 1919. p. 7653.

 

 

Joseph Henry Grudgings was born in Loughborough on 18th October 1896 and baptised at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, on 11th November 1896. He was the son of William Grudgings and his wife Charlotte Ann (née Hunt) who were married on 22nd October 1879 at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. Joseph had five brothers Gerald, Daniel, William (known as 'Bill'), Herbert and Victor and three sisters Beatrice, Elsie and Gwendoline.

Joseph's father and Joseph's Uncle William (both sons of Daniel Grudgings 1829-1876) were in business together as the hosiery needle manufacturers 'Daniel Grudgings and Bros' of Albert Street, Loughborough. There was a second needle manufacturing company owned by a related branch of the Grudgings family 'J. T. and C. Grudgings', in School Street.

Joseph lived with his family at 116 Herrick Road, Loughborough, and he was educated at Loughborough Grammar School. After he left school Joseph began training as a teacher but this was interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War.

Joseph enlisted but his exact date of enlistment is unknown as his service papers have not survived. He joined the Royal Field Artillery as Gunner 127310 but was not sent overseas until after the beginning of 1916.

Joseph became a signaller with the Royal Field Artillery. This was a hazardous occupation and signallers were often called 'suicide-squads'. They were responsible for maintaining open communications between forward observation posts, trenches, and artillery batteries.

As the diary of the 241st Brigade which Joseph joined in France does not always record the occasions on which the brigade received batches of ordinary rank reinforcements it is difficult to determine when Joseph might have joined the brigade on the Western Front. He is likely, however, to have been with the 241st Brigade by mid-1917 at the latest.

From April 1916 until 9th May 1916 the 241st Brigade (at that point known as the 2nd South Midlands Field Artillery Brigade) was at Bayencourt and was made up of four batteries, each consisting of six 18 pounder guns. On 10th May the brigade was relieved and moved to Couin for reorganisation and training.

On 24th June 1916, in the build-up to the Somme Offensive, the brigade began to take part in the pre-offensive bombardment. On 5th July the brigade moved to a position facing Colincamps and on 8th July HQ was established in Courcelles. On 18th July the brigade moved to Aveluy Wood and much of their subsequent time on the Somme was spent there and in the area of the Ancre Marshes. They also took part in the attack on Thiepval on 26th September and on Beaumont Hamel on 13th November, the last attack in the Somme Offensive of 1916. At the beginning of December the brigade moved to Molliens-au-Bois and Christmas was spent in billets at Behencourt.

By New Year's Day 1917 the guns were being positioned at Bazentin-le-Petit. At the end of January the brigade moved to Hamelet and new positions were prepared at Herbecourt. During March and April action took place near Peronne, Longavesnes and Epehy. In early May Brigade HQ moved to Tincourt. On 16th May the brigade marched to Beaulencourt and in early June they were positioned south-west of Pronville.

In July 1917 the brigade marched North to the Ypres Salient and took up positions on the Western bank of the Yser canal north of Ypres and between the canal and Reigersburg Chateau. On 21st July, brigade HQ took over command of Divisional Artillery for the forthcoming battle, later to become known as 3rd. Ypres or the Battle of Passchendaele. At zero hour the brigade advanced over the canal and took up positions along the old British front line along Admiral's Road, with HQ established at Hill Top Farm on the one bit of high land in the area and the wagon lines at Vlamertinghe to the rear. They stayed here until October 13th, working with the Australian Division and during this period suffered their greatest casualties.

On September 11th, a day described in the war diaries as 'uneventful', the brigade lost 8 men killed when a gas shell struck the entrance to their dugout. During the whole of the campaign in France and Flanders, the official history says the total losses were: 2 officers killed and 18 wounded, 17 other ranks killed, 31 other ranks died of wounds and 257 other ranks wounded.

In November 1917 the brigade was sent with the 48th (South Midland) Division to Italy as part of the Italian Expeditionary Force. The Italian front was on the verge of collapse as the Battle of Caporetto (24th October-19th November) between the Italian Army and the combined forces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the German Reich unfolded. In order to ensure that this did not lead to Italy withdrawing from the war and after a request from General Cadorna to the Allies for support the Italian Expeditionary Force, a joint Franco-British enterprise, was set up.

Divisional HQ received orders on 10th November for the move to Italy. Entrainment began on 21st November and all units had detrained around Legnano (Adige) by 1st December. The Division then moved north.

Between 1st and 16th March 1918 the Division held the front line at the Montello before moving west to the Asiago sector. Here they experienced severe cold, snowstorms and thunderstorms at an altitude of five thousand feet and snow lay around until May. On 10th June, the Austro-Hungarians launched an attack on the Italian front. This was named the Battle of the Piave River. Initially, the Austro-Hungarians made gains, but were eventually driven back with great loss. The intervention of the Allies had bolstered the Italians at a critical juncture. The enemy failed to take Monte Grappa and break through the Piave line.

The Division also took part in the Battle of the Vittoria Veneto (1st-4th November) but in the Val d'Assa rather than the Vittoria Veneto itself. The battle ultimately succeeded in driving back the Austro-Hungarians. The Austrian high command, accepting the advice of the Germans, suspended the operation.

The Armistice with Austria-Hungary was signed on 3rd November 1918 and came into force at 1500 hours on 4th November. The Division had the distinction on 3rd November of surrounding and capturing the commander of the Austrian III Corps (General von Ritter-Romer), three Divisional commanders and about 14 battalions.

By 10th November the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza and five days later it was at Trissino. The men of the 48th (South Midland) Division spent Christmas in the villages of Novale and Maglio looking forward to demobilisation, which began slowly at first, but was completed by February 1919.

Joseph was awarded the Military Medal for his actions in Italy. Joseph's brothers Bill and Victor also served in the war, Bill with the Leicestershire Regiment and Victor with the South Staffordshire and York and Lancaster Regiments. Like Joseph they both survived the war. Bill's war diary has been published on Twitter.

After the war Joseph returned to school teaching. On 15th August 1922 he married Elsie Rosamond Topping at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. The couple set up home at 76 Dulverton Road, Leicester, before moving to 160 Glenfield Road, Weston Park, Leicester. They had one son, Peter. Joseph died on 3rd June 1979 in Leicester, aged 82.

Private 18312 Walter Hammond MM

 

7th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Killed in Action 14th July 1916, Aged 24.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29758.
19 September 1916. p. 11827.

 

Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.


 

Private 1557 Thomas William Hawksworth MM

 

1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29019.
10 November 1916. p. 10923. 
 

 

          

 
Thomas William Hawksworth (his surname occasionally being spelt Hawkesworth) was born in Loughborough on 25th November 1895 and baptised on 5th January 1896 at Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough. He was the son of James Hawksworth and his wife Elizabeth (née Staniforth) who were married on 21st September 1895 at Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough.

When Thomas was born his parents were living at 1 Messenger's Yard, Sparrow Hill, but by 1901 they had moved to 64 Wellington Street and by 1911 to 36 Judges Street. Thomas's father was a wood-cutting machinist for Jacob Smith, a timber merchant and joinery manufacturer, and by 1911 Thomas, aged 15, had joined his father in the same trade.

Thomas had one brother James Arnold and four sisters Doris, Sarah, Ivy and Ellen. Thomas was a member of the Holy Trinity Church Choir and the Trinity Church Lads' Brigade. He took a keen interest in shooting for which, in 1913, he won several prizes.

Thomas's father James was in the Territorials and one of the old members of the Volunteer Band, in which he was the big drummer. Thomas also joined the Territorials prior to the war, playing the cymbals in the band.

After war broke out Thomas's father, although he was now aged 45, went to France as a stretcher-bearer with the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment on 26th February 1916. He was, however, discharged on 7th April 1916 as he was unable to stand the exposure and he returned to Loughborough to work at the Empress Works.

Thomas, meanwhile, was sent to France as Private 1557 (later renumbered as 240178) to join the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicesters at some point in 1916. As his service papers have not survived his precise date of arrival in France is unknown. The 1/5th Leicesters in France received drafts of reinforcements in March, April, and July 1916. Thomas could have been in any of these drafts but the most likely one is that of 5th July 1916. On that date the battalion's war diary specifically mentions that a draft of 61 men from the 3rd and 5th Battalions of the Leicestershire Regiment reported for duty at Bienvillers.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge, Pas de Calais, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers and then to billets in Luchaux for bayonet training. This was followed by a period at Souastre digging cable trenches, and constructing bomb stores and gun pits in preparation for a 'big push'.

On 4th June 1916 the battalion was moved up to trenches near Gommecourt. This was followed by further training at Warlincourt. On 30th June the battalion assembled in a trench near Foncquevillers Church ready for the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the first day of the Somme Offensive planned for 1st July.

On 1st July 1916 the 46th Division of the Army, of which the 1/5th Leicesters were part, had 2445 casualties at Gommecourt. On 7th July they relieved the 4th Lincolnshires in the trenches opposite Essarts-lès-Bucquoy. The battalion remained in the area of Monchy-au-Bois until 29th October, either in the trenches or resting at Bienvillers or Pommier. The battalion's next move was to Millencourt for intensive battle training, returning to Halloy and then Souastre at the beginning of December.

In November 1916 Thomas was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field.

The battalion remained at Souastre until 11th March 1917 and then moved once more up to the line taking over 2,600 yards of frontage from the La Brayelle road to the Hannescamps-Monchy road. On 17th March they moved into Gommecourt for road mending before moving to Bertrancourt, Raincheval and then Rainvillers not far from Amiens.

On 28th March the battalion marched to Saleux, entrained for Lillers in the north, and marched to Laires. Training took place until 13th April and continued for three further days at Manqueville, after which the battalion moved to the western outskirts of Lens. From there they marched to Bully-Grenay and went into the front line trenches where they were heavily shelled. On 29th April the battalion went into rest billets in cellars at Cité St. Pierre until 3rd May when they went into support trenches. On 8th they went into billets at Fosse 10 near Petit Sains for training and on 12th into reserve at Angres. Further trench tours south-west of Lens followed until 26th May when the battalion went into billets at Marqueffles Farm for training in bayonet fighting and bombardment and to practise methods of attack. On 6th June the battalion was back in the line and on 8th June went into the attack, suffering 96 casualties.

Apart from two breaks at Red Mill from 9th-13th and 18th-20th June the battalion was in the trenches until 22nd June. On 21st June C Coy was accidentally gassed by the Royal Engineers, resulting in 94 casualties of whom 22 died. Back at Marqueffles Farm from 22nd the battalion had Lewis gun and signalling classes as well as attack training over a flagged course. On 27th June the battalion moved up to the line ready to attack on the following day. As they climbed out of the trenches on 28th June they met with the inevitable machine gun fire and over the next two days 60 Ordinary Ranks were killed.

Relieved from the trenches at Liévin on 3rd July the battalion moved to Monchy-Breton for reorganisation and training until 22nd July when they moved to Vaudricourt before going into the line at Hulluch until 28th July. After respite at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was at Fouquières until 14th August, practising for an attack. Moving to Noyelles the battalion went into the trenches on 15th August and carried out a raid on the German trenches at Hulluch on the night of the 16th/17th August. After a break at Noyelles for training the battalion returned to the trenches. The end of August was spent at Philosophe, providing carrying parties.

During September, October and early November 1917 the battalion completed six trench tours at St. Elie, with breaks at Fouquières and Philosophe. During one tour the battalion was visited by a Mr. Wilkes of the Leicester Mail, 'attired in a grey suit, steel helmet and box respirator'. On 14th November the battalion moved to Mazingarbe for a trench tour in the Hill 70 sector. November ended with the battalion billeted at Verquin, Vaudricourt and Drouvin for training and a battle rehearsal.

Three more trench tours took place in December, this time in the Cambrin right sector where there were some very heavy bombardments and gas attacks by the enemy.

New Year's Day 1918 was marked by another heavy bombardment on the battalion's trenches near Hulluch. During early January when away from the front line the battalion also provided wire carrying parties and working parties. On 20th January the battalion began a four-day transfer by march to Chocques. Between 24th January and 28th February the battalion was in training at Chocques, Allouagne, Fiefs, and Reclinghem.

Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.

On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling. On 10th April the battalion moved back into Hill 70 support, but the back areas were filled with gas and the men were sent to Coupigny Huts, Bracquemont.

Training began on 15th April but two days later 100 men became sick with what the medical specialists considered to be influenza. Sixty men were evacuated and a special rest station was set up. Those men who were well were moved to Hersin and another 100 evacuated. On 24th April the battalion moved to Bruay and went into Reserve at Fouquières on 25th, only to be shelled in their billets. As the battalion was marching to the trenches at Le Hamel on 28th April the enemy opened fire near Essars. Three men were killed and thirty-five wounded or gassed.

The battalion reached the trenches on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans. During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel. Breaks were taken at Vaudricourt Park Camp and in August there were four days of training at Hesdigneul. The men also enjoyed a concert party by The Whizz-Bangs at Verquin.

By 7th August there were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and at the beginning of September, when the battalion pushed forward to Richebourg, they found a number of notices pinned up which said: 'Dear Tommy, You are welcome to all we are leaving. When we stop we shall stop and stop you in a manner you won't appreciate. Fritz.' The day after the note was found the battalion front was severely bombarded by the enemy.

From 9th -11th September the battalion was in training at Gosnay sandpits and between Béthune and Verquin. On 12th September they entrained at Chocques for Ribemont-Méricourt. Between 14th and 18th September they continued training, at Sailly-le-Sec in field firing and using a compass at night, at Franvillers in a Brigade tactical scheme, and at Teutry in attack procedure.

After this they marched to the Brigade support position in a newly captured sector east of Le Verguier and prepared for an attack on Pontruet. On 24th September the battalion took part in this operation before returning to the trenches at Le Verguier.

A major operation was now being planned in the area of the St. Quentin Canal. This began on 29th September with an attack on the Hindenburg Line. The battalion advanced to the canal in artillery formation. After crossing the canal they advanced and secured Magny-la-Fosse on 1st October. On 3rd October 1918 A and D Coys, ordered to attack Doon Hill, formed up on the Preselles to Sequehart road. The battalion held this position until withdrawn to Etricourt on the night of 4th October. Between 5th and 11th October the battalion pressed forward towards Mericourt and Regnicourt before resting in billets at Fresnoy le Grand.

Between 11th and 15th October the battalion was held in reserve at Vaux-Andigny. On 17th and 18th they into the line near Mennevret. For the rest of the month the battalion remained in Fresnoy-le-Grand, training, refitting, and playing games. The battalion left Fresnoy on 1st November and marched to Becquigny in preparation for an attack on the German positions on the Sambre-Oise Canal on 4th November. In the attack the battalion succeeded in occupying positions near Bois l'Abbaye. Over the next few days the Germans continued to retreat and the battalion reached Zorees and then Sains.

After the Armistice the battalion moved to Bousies, in the Landrecies area. In January 1919 they moved to Pommereuil and demobilisation began.

After the war Thomas returned to Loughborough and on 2nd August 1920 he married Lilian Brewin at St. Peter's Church, Loughborough. Thomas and Lilian moved to 28 Clifford Road, Loughborough, and by 1935 they had six children: Joyce, Irene, James, Clifford, John and Beryl. In 1939 the family was living at 7 Cliff Avenue and Thomas was employed as a foreman in a cabinet works.

Thomas died in Ilford Isolation Hospital, Essex, on 25th September 1957, aged 61.

Corporal 216751 Harry Holmes MM

 

78th Bn, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment.)

Killed in Action 30th March 1918,  Aged 35.

Buried Villers Station Cemetery XII. B. 7. 

The London Gazette. Supplement 30364. 30 October 1917. p. 11347.

 




Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.




Private 10910 Charles James Hunt MM

 

8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.                                            

The London Gazette. Supplement 29893.
5 January 1917. p. 346. 
 

 

          

 
Charles James Hunt was born in Loughborough in late 1893 or early 1894. He was the son of Samuel Hunt and his wife Bridget (née Gray or Grey) who were married at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Hugglescote, Leicestershire, on 24th September 1892. Charles's father was a bricklayer's labourer and in 1901 the family lived at 6 Court A, Dead Lane, Loughborough. By 1911 they had moved to 6 Lower Cambridge Street.

As a young boy Charles attended the Emmanuel Bible Class and by 1911 he had become a bricklayer's labourer like his father. Charles had one brother Thomas and four sisters May, Lizzie, Maggie and Annie. Three other brothers died young.

Charles enlisted on 28th August 1914. He was sent to the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment and on the following day posted to the 8th (Service) Battalion as Private 10910.

Charles's battalion was part of Kitchener's New Army. It was attached to the 23rd Division of the Army and initially assembled in Hampshire. The King, the Queen and Princess Mary visited the fledgling Division on 29th September. In early December, as the weather worsened, the Division moved into Aldershot. Another move was made to Shorncliffe, Kent at the end of February 1915. In April the battalion joined the 37th Division of the Army and moved to Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. All units were inspected by King George V at Sidbury Hill on 25th June.

On 29th July 1915 Charles left Folkestone for France. Initially his battalion concentrated near Tilques. On 5th September the battalion moved to the Merris Vieux-Berquin area, where trench familiarisation began under the tutelage of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. Nine days later they moved to the front line sector at Bois Grenier, south of Armentières.

The 8th Battalion then moved via Watten, Houlie, St. Omer, Eecke and Dranoutre to Wulverghem and Berles-au-Bois, a short distance from the front line. In the months that followed the 8th Battalion did tours in the trenches, alternating with the 6th Leicesters who relieved them. They were involved in operations in Bailleul, Le Bizet, Armentières, Mondicourt, Beauval and Berles-au-Bois.

In April 1916 Charles had moved with the 8th Leicesters to the Doullens area for six weeks cleaning up, resting and training. In mid-May they returned once more to the trenches in the Bienvillers-Bailleulmont sector, but nearer Gommecourt. In June there was a series of nightly excursions into No-Man's Land with patrols attempting to gather information on the enemy's dispositions. On other occasions there were working parties out repairing the British barbed wire entanglements. The situation became increasingly hazardous as the month wore on when the Germans began to use a new and more accurate type of trench mortar.

The 8th Battalion did not participate in the first days of the Somme Offensive but was held in reserve. On 6th July Charles's battalion left billets at Humbercamps and marched to Talmas, continuing on the following day to billets in Soues. On 10th July the battalion marched to Ailly-sur-Somme, entrained for Méricourt and travelled from there by lorry to bivouacs in Méaulte. Between 10th and 13th July the battalion was in the trenches near Fricourt and subjected to fairly continuous enemy fire.

On the 14th July the battalion was in action at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. After the battle the battalion withdrew to Ribemont and then to Méricourt, and having entrained for Saleux, marched to Soues. From Soues the battalion moved to Longeau, Gouy-en-Ternois, Lattre St. Quentin and then to Arras where they went into the trenches on 29th July. Casualty figures for the battalion in July had been high: 17 officers and 415 other ranks had been killed, wounded or were missing.

The battalion went into Divisional Reserve at Agnez-les-Ouisans on 8th August but went back into the trenches at Arras on 18th August where they were on the receiving end of trench mortar bombs and heavy shells until 2nd September. On being relieved the battalion marched to rest billets at Lignereuil. On 13th September they marched to Frevent and entrained for Dernancourt. On 15th they reached a point between Fricourt and Méaulte before proceeding to Trônes Wood on 16th.
Citation

'Private Hunt distinguished himself in the field on September 26th.27th and 28th1916, and from other information received it appears that the distinction was earned by carrying messages from the various companies under heavy shellfire.'

From 17th-23rd September the battalion was in reserve and supporting the troops in the front line by providing carrying parties. In the evening of 24th September the battalion marched up to take their position ready for an attack but before they reached this point the men were heavily shelled by the enemy. Just after midday on 25th September the 8th Leicesters launched a successful attack in waves on the right of Flers and then pressed on to Gueudecourt. Considerable losses, however, were suffered in this action. Charles was awarded the Military Medal for his actions at Gueudecourt on the Somme in late September 1916.

After the Battle of Morval the battalion withdrew to Dernancourt, entrained for Longpré and marched to Pont Remy before transferring to the Hohenzollern Reserve, support and frontline trenches. The battalion remained in the Hohenzollern sector, with breaks at Mazingarbe and Vermelles until 15th December when they marched to billets in the candle factory at Béthune.

From Béthune the battalion moved to Auchel where they remained until 26th January 1917 training. On 28th December the troops were entertained by a Lena Ashwell concert party. From Auchel the men moved to Winnezeele to continue training in tactical manoeuvres before returning to Béthune and the front line trenches at Sailly Labourse.

In April 1917 the battalion moved to Hamelincourt and occupied the Outpost Line on the Hénin-Croisilles road until 13th April, then transferred to Bailleulmont for training before going into support at St. Leger. On 3rd May the battalion took part in an attack on the village of Fontaine-lès-Croisilles where casualties were high. After the attack the battalion bivouacked at St. Leger before going back into the line on 9th May. On 11th May the battalion marched to Berles-au-Bois for musketry training and practice in tactical schemes, brigade sports and inspections which lasted until the end of May.

On 1st June the battalion marched to huts in Hamelincourt for additional training in bombing and rifle grenades and field exercises until 7th June. On the night of 7th/8th the battalion went into the trenches in the Hindenburg Line. From there they attacked the enemy on 15th June but were compelled to withdraw. They remained in the front line until 19th June when they returned to camp at Hamelincourt. A period of rest at Blairville then lasted until 1st July, after which the battalion returned to Hamelincourt. On 9th July 1917 the battalion was in the trenches near Croisilles before going into Brigade Reserve. After one more front line trench tour at Croisilles the battalion moved to Camp A at Moyenville for eight days training. Following this the battalion was in brigade support in the forward area until 17th August when it moved to a hutment camp in Ervillers for training. On 25th August the battalion moved by motor bus to Barly and from there, on the following day, marched to Ambrines. Two further periods of training followed, firstly at Ambrines and then at Avesnes-le-Comte.

On 16th September the battalion marched to Savy, entrained for Caestre and went into camp for more training. On 23rd September the battalion began a series of moves, firstly to Meteren, then by bus to Hallebast before marching to Sint Hubertushoek and from there to Ridge Wood south-west of Ypres. On 30th September they moved up to the front line at Polygon Wood.

On 1st October the enemy attacked the 9th Leicesters who were nearby and got possession of their front line. The 8th Leicesters went to assist but the enemy made repeated attacks. Counter-attacks were hit by a heavy enemy barrage in the neighbourhood of Joist Farm. On the night of the 2nd/3rd October the battalion was relieved and marched to Scottish Wood Camp. On 4th October the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Leicesters were amalgamated because of their high casualty rate. On 5th October the combined battalion moved to railway dugouts at Zillebeke and on 7th they went into the front line. The weather was very wet, the men suffered severely in the open trenches and shell holes and on 8th and 9th October 53 Ordinary Ranks were killed or wounded.

The point at which Charles's health began to fail is not known as his service papers have not survived but on 4th December 1917 he was discharged from the Army. He was suffering from double mitral and portal stenosis. He was awarded a Silver War Badge. He then found employment with Messrs. Carwright and Warner's hosiery manufactory.

Charles died in Loughborough, aged 32, in 1926.

Private 126836 Arthur Frank Hutchinson MM

 

Reserve Division Company, Machine Gun Corps.

The London Gazette. Issue 31227. 11 March 1919. p. 3437.

 

Frank Hutchinson was born in Loughborough on 22nd October 1898. He was the son of Frank Hutchinson Senior and his wife Fanny (née Griffin) who were married at St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester, on 16th December 1882. Frank Junior had one brother William and two sisters Alice and Evelyn. Two other siblings Charles and Emma died young.

Frank Junior’s father was a carpenter and joiner. In 1901 the family lived at 24 Lower Cambridge Street, Loughborough, but by 1911 had moved to 16 Edward Street. They later lived at 43a Church Gate.

Frank Junior enlisted on 26th October 1915, when he was just 17. He joined the Machine Gun Corps (MGC) as Private 126836. The MGC saw action in all the main theatres of war, including France and Belgium, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Salonika, East Africa and Italy. In its short history, the MGC gained an enviable record for heroism as a front line fighting force. Indeed, in the latter part of the war, as tactics changed to defence in depth, it commonly served well in advance of the front line. It had a less enviable record for its casualty rate. Some 170,500 officers and men served in the MGC, with 62,049 becoming casualties, including 12,498 killed, earning it the nickname 'the Suicide Club'.

Little is known regarding Frank Junior’s war service history as his service record has not survived. What is known is that he was awarded a Military Medal in early 1919 and that at the time he was in the Reserve Division Company of the MGC. He was also awarded a Silver War Badge. Frank was demobbed on 22nd February 1919.

Frank returned to Loughborough and became a machinist. He married Gladys May Simmonds at All Saints Church, Loughborough, on 27th December 1920. Frank subsequently became a carpenter like his father and he and Gladys had two sons Bernard and Kenneth. In 1939 Frank and Gladys were living at 18 Hartington Street, Loughborough. Frank died in Loughborough in 1987, aged 88.

Sergeant 31277 Bernard Jarram MM

 

7th Bn, Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire) Regiment.

Attd. 19th Bn. Machine Gun Corps.

Killed in Action 18th April 1918, Aged 28.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30897. 10 September 1918. p. 10767.

 



Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.



Corporal 60376 John Stanley Joyce MM

 

8th Bn, Machine Gun Company.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30940. 4 October 1918. p. 11831.

 

John Stanley Joyce was born in Leicester on 12th November 1896 and baptised on 20th December 1896 at Holy Trinity Church, Leicester. He was the son of Henry James Joyce and his wife Kate (née Clarke) who were married at St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, on 17th October 1887. John had two brothers Henry and Theodore and two sisters Phyllis and Constance.

John’s father was a provision merchant and grocer. When John was born the family lived in Hastings Street, Leicester, and by 1901 they had moved to 1 Barclay Street. Between 1901 and 1911 they relocated to Ravenswood, High Street, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire. Not long after 1911 they moved to 39 York Road, Loughborough, and John’s father had a grocer’s shop in Swan Street.

John enlisted at some point in the summer of 1915 but his exact date of enlistment is unknown as his service papers have not survived. He joined the Machine Gun Company as Private 60376 and was probably sent to Belton Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire, for training. In 1916 he was posted to join the 23rd, 24th or 25th Machine Gun Company with the 8th Division of the Army in France.

The 8th Division took part in the Battle of Albert in 1916 and in 1917 in the pursuit of the Germans to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Pilckem Ridge and Langemarck. In early 1918 the 23rd, 24th and 25th Machine Gun Companies amalgamated to become the 8th Machine Gun Battalion with the 8th Division.

On 1st March 1918 the 8th Machine Gun Battalion was in the front line at Passchendaele and in support at Gravenstafel. Three days later they moved to Steenvoorde and from there to Longuenesse for training until 21st March. On 22nd and 23rd March they entrained for Rosières and marched to Lihons. They then took up positions on the Somme Canal bridgeheads at Béthencourt, Voyennes, and Offoy. On 24th March the enemy attacked and succeeded in crossing the canal. The battalion was forced to retreat via Foucaucourt, Vrely-Rosières, Ailly-sur-Noye and Le Paraclet to Castel. Between 23rd and 31st March the battalion suffered 316 casualties.

During the first three weeks of April the battalion moved via Hangest-sur-Somme and Rivery to Glisy. On 21st April they went into the Cachy line and by 25th April a line had been established at Villers-Bretonneaux. On 30th April the battalion began a three-day move to Mont-Saint-Martin for training until 10th May. On 11th May the battalion marched to Bougogne Camp west of Ventelay before going into the line near Moulin de Roucy. Between 26th and 30th May the battalion edged forwards to the Forêt d’Epernay, coming under severe hostile bombardments and suffering 399 casualties.

The remains of the battalion then moved to Villers-au-Bois where a corporate Machine Gun Company was formed and ordered to proceed to Marfaux. From 6th-14th June their guns were placed at the west edge of the Bois de Courton. During the rest of June there were many more casualties and 61 guns were lost or destroyed.

Reorganisation and training then took place at Frucourt until 18th July. By 21st July the battalion was back in Villers-au-Bois where they remained until the end of September delivering harassing fire. The enemy was now in retreat with the battalion in pursuit via Quièry-la-Motte, Flers, Cattelet and Marchiennes. When the Armistice was declared the battalion was at Fresnes and Lorette.

John was awarded the Military Medal in the autumn of 1918.

After the Armistice the battalion spent the rest of November and most of December at Joncquois, Willemeau, and Petit Enghien in Belgium, training. January and February 1919 were spent at Ath until demobilisation was completed.

John returned to Loughborough and the grocery trade. On 2nd March 1924 he married Olive Edna Coulson, a teacher, at St. Peter’s Church, Loughborough. In 1939 John and Olive were living at 39 Dumbleton Avenue, Leicester. John died in 1967, aged 70, in Leicester.

 

Lance Corporal 13289 Herbert Jacob Lee  MM & Bar

 

9th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously 3rd Bn and 5285 1st Bn.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30172. 6 July 1917. p. 6832.

(MM Bar) The London Gazette. Supplement 30431. 14 December 1917. p. 13186. 

 

 

Herbert Jacob Lee was born in the spring of 1879 and baptised on 1st May 1879 at the Church of St. Denys, Colmworth, Bedfordshire. He was the son of John Lee and his wife Mary (née Lovell) who were married at Colmworth in 1874.) Herbert had two brothers Henry and William and one sister Mary Ann (known as 'Annie')

Herbert's father was an agricultural labourer. By 1881 his father was in Leicester Prison and his mother was living with her three oldest children in Church Street, Barrow on Soar, Leicestershire. In 1891 his mother was living in Industry Street, Barrow on Soar, and employed as a dressmaker. The whereabouts of Herbert's father in 1891 is unknown and Herbert's mother described herself as a widow. Herbert's father, however, did not die until 1893 in Bingham, Leicestershire. In 1891 Herbert, aged 15, was a shoe hand.

In 1895 Herbert's mother was remarried to a widower, John Henry Ratcliffe, in Loughborough. His step-father had two surviving children John and Mary Jane Ratcliffe from his first marriage to Constantia Cunnington who had died in 1890. In 1901 the blended family was living at 7 Little Harrington Street, Leicester, and Herbert's step-father was a blacksmith. Herbert, however, was no longer living at home.

Herbert had enlisted in the Volunteer Company of the Leicestershire Regiment for service in the 2nd Boer War. He was sent to South Africa as Private 5285 to join the 1st Battalion. The battalion was placed in the 3rd Division under the command of Sir William Gatacre and much of the time was spent on mobile column work, patrolling and raiding expeditions rather than being engaged in any major battles. From the autumn of 1900 to the close of the war the battalion operated in the Eastern Transvaal, some doing garrison work around Balmoral and Middleburg and some companies trekking. Herbert was awarded the King's South Africa Medal with clasps for the Transvaal and South Africa 1902.

Herbert returned to Loughborough and took employment as a labourer with Messrs. Coltman's boiler works. In 1906 he was fined at Loughborough's Petty Sessions for being drunk while in charge of his nephew, a child.

On 2nd April 1907 as 'Jacob Lee' he married Bertha Hunt at All Saints Parish Church, Loughborough, and by 1909 they had two children Ivy and Herbert Wilfred. In 1911 the family was living at 18 Moira Street, Loughborough.

When war broke out Herbert reenlisted and joined the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 13289.

The 9th (Service) Battalion was raised at Leicester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 23rd Division as Divisional Troops. The units of the Division began to assemble at Bullswater and Frensham in Hampshire from September 1914 and the King, Queen and Princess Mary visited the fledgling Division on 29th September. In early December, as the weather worsened, the Division moved into Aldershot and then, at the end of February 1915, to Shorncliffe in Kent. In April 1915 Fergus' battalion became part of the newly established 37th Division of Kitchener's 2nd New Army and the Division began to concentrate on Salisbury Plain. Fergus was encamped on Perham Down.

Just under two months later, on 29th July 1915, Herbert was sent to France, travelling from Folkestone to Boulogne on the SS St. Seiriol.

Initially the 37th Division concentrated near Tilques. The 9th Battalion then moved via Watten, Houlie, St. Omer, Eecke and Dranoutre to Wulverghem and Bienvillers-au-Bois, a short distance from the front line. In the months that followed the 9th Battalion did tours in the trenches, alternating with the 7th Leicesters who relieved them. They were Involved in operations in Bailleul, Le Bizet, Armentières, Mondicourt, Beauval and Berles-au-Bois. In April 1916 the 9th Leicesters moved to the Doullens area for six weeks for cleaning up, resting and training. In mid-May they returned once more to the trenches in the Bienvillers-Bailleulmont sector. In June there was a series of nightly excursions into No-Man's Land with patrols attempting to gather information on the enemy's dispositions. On other occasions there were working parties out repairing the British barbed wire entanglements. The situation became increasingly hazardous as the month wore on when the Germans began to use a new and more accurate type of trench mortar.

On 1st July 1916 the 9th Leicesters moved into position at Souastre in readiness to reinforce the troops attacking at Gommecourt. No orders came, however, and the men marched back to Humbercamps. Training continued on the 4th and 5th July. On 6th and 7th July they marched via Talmas to Crouy and on 8th and 9th July they rested and were addressed by the Divisional Commander on the forthcoming battle. On 10th July they moved to Ailly-sur-Somme and then entrained for Méricourt before going by bus to bivouacs in Méaulte north-east of Amiens. They then took over as Quadrangle Trench and Quadrangle support. On 11th there was heavy shelling but no infantry attack. On 12th July the 9th battalion was relieved and moved back to Fricourt.

On 14th July the battalion moved up to the south edge of Mametz Wood just as an intense bombardment of the German positions began, and on to Bazentin-Le-Petit Wood. Finally relieved on 16th July the battalion, which had suffered heavy casualties, marched to Fricourt and on to Ribemont on the following day. On 18th July they entrained at Méricourt for Saleux. After nine days of marching and some motor lorry transit the battalion arrived at Arras on 27th July, where for all of August the battalion was in the trenches or resting in billets at Arras. After some days training and resting at the beginning of September the battalion marched to Frevent and entrained for 'Edgehill' station near Dernancourt. On 16th September the battalion moved to bivouac near Fricourt and after two days moved again to bivouac in front of Bernafay Wood.

On 24th September the battalion moved up to the assembly trenches in front of Gueudecourt in preparation for an attack on the following day, being heavily shelled in the process. From 25th to 28th September the battalion took part in the Battle of Morval and sustained considerable casualties. On 2nd October the battalion moved from Bernafay Wood to Bernancourt and on 4th October entrained at 'Edge Station' for Longpré-les-Corps-Saints and then marched to Francières. On 7th October they entrained at Pont Remy for Béthune and marched to Fouquières-lès-Béthune. On 10th October they marched to Sailly-la-Bourse and went into the support trenches in the Hohenzollern Sector where trench mortars from the enemy did considerable damage.

Between 11th October and 15th December the battalion was either in the front line trenches, in the support line or in reserve. On 15th December the battalion was ordered to move to the Montmorency Barracks in Béthune where they stayed until 20th December when they marched to billets in Raimbart. The battalion remained in Raimbart in training until 27th January 1917. On 28th January the battalion marched to Lillers and entrained for Proven, from where they marched to billets in Houdeque-Watou. Training ensued until 13th February when they returned by train to Béthune. On 15th February they were back in the trenches in the Hohenzollern Sector and subjected to heavy enemy artillery fire. The battalion remained there in the front or support line until 27th March when they proceeded via Sailly Labourse to Gaudiemare for training.

From 7th - 15th April the battalion held the Outpost Line at Croisilles before moving to Bailleulval for further training. After a break in Ayette the battalion transferred to Hamelincourt and then to Boiry- Becquerelle where an attack was being planned. On 3rd May the battalion moved forward to attack. Total casualties were 16 officers and 299 ordinary ranks. After the battle the battalion was withdrawn to the Reserve at Quarry St. Leger and then sent for rest and training at Pommier until the end of May. The battalion returned to the trenches on 7th June and suffered several enemy attacks. Relieved on 20th June the battalion marched back to B Camp, Moyenville before moving to Blaireville to rest.

In July 1917 Herbert was awarded the Military Medal and promoted to Lance Corporal.

From 8th to the end of July the battalion was held in reserve before completing a six-day trench tour, five days in support providing working parties for the Royal Engineers and another trench tour. During August the battalion the battalion was held in reserve at Moyenville, Croisilles and Ervillers before moving to Izel-lès-Hameau for rest, sports and firing practice.

September began with two weeks of training at Manin. On 15th September the battalion marched to Savy and entrained for Caestre. On 23rd September they marched to billets in the Berthen area and on 26th September moved by bus to Micmac Camp. At the end of September they moved up to the forward area near Polygon Wood. Here they were in action until 9th October and came under heavy enemy fire and attack. Once relieved they entrained at Ouderdom for rest billets in the Racquinchem area.

On 18th October the battalion returned to Scottish Wood to provide working parties and by 26th October were back in the support trenches. November was spent in reserve and support, with a short stay at Forester Camp and Horseshoe Camp, Reninghelst before a four-day march to the Corps training area at Hersin.

By December 1917 Herbert's health began to fail and he was diagnosed with orchitis and variocele. He was discharged from the Army on 31st January 1918 and awarded a Silver War Badge. In December 1917 he was also awarded a Bar to his Military Medal.

A newspaper of the day included the following report: 

"His Worship the Mayor (Coun. W. W. Coltman ) made a public presentation on the steps of the Loughborough Hospital, on Christmas morning, of a Military Medal to a Loughborough soldier, Lance Corporal Herbert J, Lee, 9th Leicestershire Regiment.

The recipient, who formerly worked at Messrs. Coltman's Boiler Works, Meadow Lane, went through the South African campaign for which he possesses a medal and two clasps. The presentation was made before a large number of wounded soldiers, and the Mayor said he was proud to decorate a Loughborough man for bravery in the field. He was glad to think that L-Corporal Lee had so well maintained the fine tradition, which the old 17thFoot and the Leicestershire Regiments had held for so many years. He had not only been awarded the medal, but he was also entitled to a bar, and they heartily congratulated him on his splendid conduct and on being such a brave, straightforward, honest man, one who had done his very best for his King and Country. Cheers were given for L-Corporal, Lee by the wounded present, and he briefly replied, 'Thank you comrades'
."

Herbert returned to Loughborough. His wife Bertha died in 1925 and Herbert died in Loughborough in 1931, aged 52.


A/CSM 14994 George William Lings DCM MM MiD

 

8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 29758.
19 September 1916. p. 9202

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30879.
30 August 1918. p. 10317.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 30434.
14 December 1917. p. 13232.

 
                   

Click to see notes in Distinguished Conduct Medal section above.

Corporal 24926 Harry Archibald McDonnell (Archie) MM

 

8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30498. 25 January 1918. p. 1392.

 

Harry Archibald McDonnell (known to his family as 'Archie') was born in Loughborough on 16th September 1891. He was the natural son of a widow Emma Mcdonnell (née Oliver) and an unknown father. Archie was given the surname of his mother's husband Charles McDonnell, an iron moulder, who had died, aged 30, in Loughborough, in 1888. Archie's mother, who could not read or write, was probably also unaware that on some official documents her surname had been spelt as McDonald. Archie had one surviving half-sister Elizabeth McDonald (sic.) Two other half-sisters Emma and Charlotte McDonnell died young.

On 27th October 1894 and Archie's mother was remarried at All Saints Church, Loughborough, to Mark Groocock, a bricklayer. By 1901 the family was living at 24A Regent Street, Loughborough, and Mark and Emma had two children Arthur and Walter, step-brothers to Elizabeth and Archie. By 1911 they had moved to 20 York Road and Archie had become a bricklayer like his step-father.

Archie enlisted towards the end of 1915 with the Leicestershire Regiment and joined the 8th (Service) Battalion as Private 24926. Although hie service papers have not survived it is known that he was not sent to France until 1916 at the earliest. On 17th May 1916 he married Mary Ellen Attenborough at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, and it seems likely that he was sent abroad after this date.

In May 1916 the 8th Leicesters were in the trenches in the Bienvillers-Bailleulmont sector near Gommecourt. In June there was a series of nightly excursions into No-Man's Land with patrols attempting to gather information on the enemy's dispositions. On other occasions there were working parties out repairing the British barbed wire entanglements. The situation became increasingly hazardous as the month wore on when the Germans began to use a new and more accurate type of trench mortar.

The 8th Battalion did not participate in the first days of the Somme Offensive but was held in reserve. On 6th July Archie's battalion left billets at Humbercamps and marched to Talmas, continuing on the following day to billets in Soues. On 10th July the battalion marched to Ailly-sur-Somme, entrained for Méricourt and travelled from there by lorry to bivouacs in Méaulte. Between 10th and 13th July the battalion was in the trenches near Fricourt and subjected to fairly continuous enemy fire.

On the 14th July the battalion was in action at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. After the battle the battalion withdrew to Ribemont and then to Méricourt, and having entrained for Saleux, marched to Soues. From Soues the battalion moved to Longeau, Gouy-en-Ternois, Lattre St. Quentin and then to Arras where they went into the trenches on 29th July. Casualty figures for the battalion in July had been high: 17 officers and 415 other ranks had been killed, wounded or were missing.

The battalion went into Divisional Reserve at Agnez-les-Ouisans on 8th August but went back into the trenches at Arras on 18th August where they were on the receiving end of trench mortar bombs and heavy shells until 2nd September. On being relieved the battalion marched to rest billets at Lignereuil. On 13th September they marched to Frevent and entrained for Dernancourt. On 15th they reached a point between Fricourt and Méaulte before proceeding to Trônes Wood on 16th.

From 17th-23rd September the battalion was in reserve and supporting the troops in the front line by providing carrying parties. In the evening of 24th September the battalion marched up to take their position ready for an attack but before they reached this point the men were heavily shelled by the enemy. Just after midday on 25th September the 8th Leicesters launched a successful attack in waves on the right of Flers and then pressed on to Gueudecourt. Considerable losses, however, were suffered in this action.

After the Battle of Morval the battalion withdrew to Dernancourt, entrained for Longpré and marched to Pont Remy before transferring to the Hohenzollern Reserve, support and frontline trenches. The battalion remained in the Hohenzollern sector, with breaks at Mazingarbe and Vermelles until 15th December when they marched to billets in the candle factory at Béthune.

From Béthune the battalion moved to Auchel where they remained until 26th January 1917 training. On 28th December the troops were entertained by a Lena Ashwell concert party. From Auchel the men moved to Winnezeele to continue training in tactical manoeuvres before returning to Béthune and the front line trenches at Sailly Labourse.

In April 1917 the battalion moved to Hamelincourt and occupied the Outpost Line on the Hénin-Croisilles road until 13th April, then transferred to Bailleulmont for training before going into support at St. Leger. On 3rd May the battalion took part in an attack on the village of Fontaine-lès-Croisilles where casualties were high. After the attack the battalion bivouacked at St. Leger before going back into the line on 9th May. On 11th May the battalion marched to Berles-au-Bois for musketry training and practice in tactical schemes, brigade sports and inspections which lasted until the end of May.

On 1st June the battalion marched to huts in Hamelincourt for additional training in bombing and rifle grenades and field exercises until 7th June. On the night of 7th/8th the battalion went into the trenches in the Hindenburg Line. From there they attacked the enemy on 15th June but were compelled to withdraw. They remained in the front line until 19th June when they returned to camp at Hamelincourt. A period of rest at Blairville then lasted until 1st July, after which the battalion returned to Hamelincourt. On 9th July 1917 the battalion was in the trenches near Croisilles before going into Brigade Reserve. After one more front line trench tour at Croisilles the battalion moved to Camp A at Moyenville for eight days training. Following this the battalion was in brigade support in the forward area until 17th August when it moved to a hutment camp in Ervillers for training. On 25th August the battalion moved by motor bus to Barly and from there, on the following day, marched to Ambrines. Two further periods of training followed, firstly at Ambrines and then at Avesnes-le-Comte.

On 16th September the battalion marched to Savy, entrained for Caestre and went into camp for more training. On 23rd September the battalion began a series of moves, firstly to Meteren, then by bus to Hallebast before marching to Sint Hubertushoek and from there to Ridge Wood south-west of Ypres. On 30th September they moved up to the front line at Polygon Wood.

On 1st October the enemy attacked the 9th Leicesters who were nearby and got possession of their front line. The 8th Leicesters went to assist but the enemy made repeated attacks. Counter-attacks were hit by a heavy enemy barrage in the neighbourhood of Joist Farm. On the night of the 2nd/3rd October the battalion was relieved and marched to Scottish Wood Camp. On 4th October the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Leicesters were amalgamated because of their high casualty rate. On 5th October the combined battalion moved to railway dugouts at Zillebeke and on 7th they went into the front line. The weather was very wet, the men suffered severely in the open trenches and shell holes and on 8th and 9th October 53 Ordinary Ranks were killed or wounded.

Relieved on 11th October the battalion moved to Anzac Camp where the combined battalion was restored to two units. On 12th October the 8th Battalion entrained at Ouderdom station for Ebblinghem and marched to Le Croquet. From here three days later the battalion moved by motor lorry to the Gheluvelt area on the Menin Road for six days of cable trench digging. The men worked under heavy hostile barrages, moving to and from the area under shellfire. Between 17th and 22nd October 86 Ordinary Ranks were killed, wounded or went missing.

Five days at Camp A, Kruistraat crossroads, for reorganisation and training followed, after which the battalion went into Brigade Reserve in railway dugouts south-west of Zillebeke Lake to work on cable trenches. While moving into the front line on the night of 3rd/4th November the battalion suffered heavy casualties from a hostile gas shell bombardment and were withdrawn to Divisional Reserve at Camp A. Between 9th and 16th November the battalion completed another front line trench tour as well as four days in the support trenches at Zillebeke Bund. On 17th November they began a six-day march from Pioneer Camp near Scottish Wood to Coupigne for five days cleaning and reorganisation, and then marched to Monchy Breton.

On 30th November the battalion was suddenly ordered to entrain at Savy for Cambrai in order to reinforce the line there on account of a large scale German attack. From Courcelles on 1st December the battalion moved into the support line and into the front line on the following day. Four more trench tours took up most of December and in between tours the battalion concentrated on improving the village defences of Epehy with barbed wire entanglements.

From Epehy, on 4th January 1918, the battalion moved back to Middlesex Camp, Heudecourt, in Brigade Reserve. Between 11th and 20th January the battalion was in training at Haut Allaines and working on wiring and tunnelling at Saulcourt. Two more trench tours in bad weather when the sides of the trenches kept falling in completed the month.

By January 1918 Archie had been awarded the Military Medal and had been promoted to the rank of Corporal.

February 1918 included trench tours at Epehy, ten days at Noislains for training, digging a fire trench near Gurlu Wood, work on new aerodromes at Cartigny and near Nurlu and digging the main line of defence near Pezière. In early March it became clear that the enemy was preparing for a large-scale attack. On 21st March the Germans opened their Spring Offensive, advancing in formation and accompanied by a bombardment of every description. The battalion, still in the neighbourhood of Epehy, suffered heavy casualties on the front line between 21st and 23rd March.

On the night of the 23rd March the battalion moved into a position north-east of Cléry-sur-Somme but was forced into a further withdrawal on the following day when the enemy began an outflanking action. After moving to Bray-sur-Somme, Chipilly, and then Bresle, the nucleus of the battalion moved to the chateau at Vadencourt while the remainder operated in the Bray-Chipilly-Morlancourt-Ribemont area. By 31st March the entire battalion, which had suffered 415 casualties since 21st March, was at rest in Allonville.

On 1st April the battalion entrained at St. Roch station, near Amiens, for Hopoutre and proceeded by lorry to Monmouthshire Camp, near Dranoutre. Between 4th and 9th April they moved via Kemmel Shelters Camp, Curragh Camp near Westoutre and Ontario Camp near Reninghelst to Manawatu Camp near Zillebeke Lake. From 10th-13th April the battalion was in close reserve at Torr Top and Canada Tunnels before taking over the front and support lines for two days. On 15th they were ordered to withdraw to Forrester Camp near the Ypres-Kruistraakhoek road but when this was shelled, moved to the trenches. Between 18th April and the end of the month the battalion valiantly defended a line of posts, covering gaps wherever the enemy broke through.

May began with a two-day break at Buysscheure for seven days of training, after which the battalion entrained at Wizernes for Serzy-Savigny. Training continued at Aougny and then at D Camp, Chalons de Vergeur near Bouvancourt. On 20th May the battalion went into the trenches east of the Aisne-Marne Canal between Cauroy and Cormicy. On 26th May in the 3rd Battle of the Aisne the enemy began a heavy bombardment along the whole of the front and began penetrating the battalion's trenches.

After the 3rd Battle of the Aisne the remnants of the battalion, which had effectively been wiped out, withdrew to Pourcy and then to the Fôret d'Epernay. The remnants of the 8th Leicesters then became a training cadre and became the 14th (Service) Battalion of the (Duke of Wellington's) West Riding Regiment which was formed at Clacton, Essex, on 7th June 1918. This battalion was disbanded in England on 3rd November 1918.

After the war ended Archie returned to Loughborough. In 1939 he was employed as a builder's foreman and living with his wife and their only child Gladys at 2 Lime Avenue, Loughborough. Archie died on 5th April 1969 in Loughborough, aged 77.

Sergeant 241289 Thomas Marston MM & 2 Bars

2/5th Bn and 1/5th Bn Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously 3612

(MM) The London Gazette. 28 January 1918. p. 1382.

(1st Bar) The London Gazette. Supplement 31338.
13 May 1919. p. 6007.


(2nd Bar) The London Gazette. Supplement 31469. 22 July 1919. p. 9340.

Thomas Marston was born in Thorpe Acre, Leicestershire, in late 1883 or early 1884 and baptised at All Saints Church, Thorpe Acre, on 10th February 1884. He was the son of Joseph Haywood Marston and his wife Hannah (née Sanders) who were married on 19th August 1874 at St. Mary and All Saints Church, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Thomas's father started working life as a miner but after he married he became a farm labourer and he and his wife moved to Thorpe Acre, Leicestershire. Later he became a shepherd. Thomas had four brothers Edward, Robert, George and Leonard and five sisters Isabella, Selina, Emma Jane, Louisa and Lily. Lily, however, died, aged six, in 1904.

In 1901 Thomas, aged 18, was an iron foundry labourer. On 17th September 1907 he married Mary Smedley (known as 'Polly') at All Saints Church, Loughborough. By 1911 the young couple were living at 35 Gladstone Street, Loughborough, with their first child Winifred, and Thomas was employed as a waggoner for the Midland Brewery. Between 1911 and 1920 they had three more children Phyllis, Thomas Joseph and Kathleen Mary.

When war broke out Thomas enlisted with the 2/5th (Territorial) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 3612, later being renumbered as 241289. The 2/5th Battalion had its HQ in Loughborough as part of the Lincoln and Leicester Brigade, North Midland Division and was mobilised in September 1914. In January 1915 the battalion moved to Luton being billeted in private homes, in February and March they had a spell at Epping digging practice trenches. In July the battalion moved to the St Albans area, under canvas at Briton Camp for training and route marches. In August 1915, the Brigade was retitled 177th Brigade, 59th Division (2nd North Midland) and in October they were moved back to billets in Harpenden. Throughout 1915 some members of the 2/5th Leicesters also provided guards for the prisoner of war camp at Donington Hall.

In January 1916 parties of officers were sent to France on tours of instruction in the trenches and in March, the long-awaited orders to proceed overseas were received. On Easter Monday, however, the rebellion in Ireland forced a rapid change of plans. The 177th Brigade was recalled from leave and ordered to move to Liverpool at midnight. The following day they sailed on the SS Ulster, a fast mailboat, escorted by a Royal Navy destroyer. Their first taste of action was not to be in the trenches of the Western Front, but in the streets of Dublin.

By the end of the month the main uprising was over and the 2/5th Battalion supplied search parties for Ballsbridge and guarded railways, bridges and other key infrastructure. On the 10th May they moved out of the city to tackle pockets of resistance in County Kerry, searching homes and making arrests. In June word was received that the Battalion would be moving to France and training resumed with long route marches through Ireland. In August they marched 80 miles from Tralee to Fermoy Barracks, where they would remain until January 1917, engaged in live fire training in trench warfare. The return trip from Ireland was made aboard the SS Ulster and the battalion arrived at Fovant Camp in Wiltshire by train at 7pm on 6th January 1917.

After embarkation leave they proceeded to France via Southampton, arriving at Le Havre on the 24th February 1917. They were sent to the Somme area where the enemy was retreating to the Hindenburg Line. They made their first attack on the villages of Hesbecourt and Hervilly on 31st of March 1917, capturing both villages and suffering a number of casualties.

On 1st April the battalion began constructing a line of cruciform posts and on the following day were shelled while doing so. On 3rd and 4th April part of the battalion supported the 4th Leicesters in an attack on Fervaque Farm while the rest of the battalion built posts in Templeux. On 11th and 12th April the battalion moved to Hervilly and Hamelet to provide working parties and on 15th A and C Coys were in support for an attack on Villeret. On 17th April the battalion moved from Brosse Woods to Templeux and Hervilly and were in support again on the following day in an attack on a quarry north of Villeret. On 19th April the battalion moved to Hancourt for cleaning up, working parties and training. On the night of 27th/28th April Hancourt was bombarded by the enemy and the battalion moved to the front line at Le Vergier.

Trench tours continued until 15th May when the battalion marched back to Bois Bias training camp between Bouvincourt-en-Vermandois and Le Catelet. Training took place until 25th May when they moved to Equancourt and went into the front and support lines at Villers Plouich. Here until 7th June more posts were constructed amid some heavy enemy bombardment. From 7th-16th June the battalion was in Brigade Reserve at Dessart Wood, after which the battalion returned to the front line at Villers Plouich and carried out cable digging and laying for the Royal Engineers. Attack training took place at Equancourt from 22nd-30th June, after which the battalion went into support at Metz-en-Couture until 10th July. For the rest of July and the first three weeks of August the battalion was in training at Barastre camp.

On 22nd August the battalion moved via Senlis to a front one mile south-west of Le Sars for further training. On 31st August they entrained at Albert for Hazebrouck and marched to a training camp north of Winnezeele where they remained until 20th September. By 23rd September the battalion was in the reserve trenches at St. Jean near Ypres, before taking over the front line at Hill 37, Hill 35 and Elmtree Corner. On 26th September the battalion went into attack to capture all enemy positions on Hill 37 (part of the Battle of Polygon Wood, a phase in the 3rd Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele). In the days that followed the battalion suffered 303 casualties.

On 31st September the battalion moved into Corps reserve on the Wieltje road and then to hutments at Vlamertinghe. On 2nd October they moved by train to Thiennes for three days training. On 6th October they proceeded to Beaumetz-les-Aire where training continued until 9th October. Between 11th and 13th October the battalion moved via Houdin and Gouy-Servins to the trenches for a four-day trench tour in the front line, followed by four days in support. Between 22nd and 28th October the battalion underwent training at Alberta Camp before returning to the trenches at Lièvin.

On 13th November the battalion moved by Decauville Light Railway and marched to Petit Servins for training. Between 17th and 23rd November they proceeded via Habarcq and Bailleulval to Achiet-le-Petit, entrained for Fins and marched to Dessart Wood for four days training. At the end of November they moved via Trescault and Flesquières to the Hindenburg support line.

In early December the battalion held the front line and then the Flesquières line before a break at Lechel and working parties at Trescault and the Hindenburg support line. On 21st December they left for Rocquigny. On Christmas Day they marched to Bapaume, entrained for Tinques and marched to rest billets at Penin.

The battalion remained at Penin in training until it was disbanded on 28th January 1918. Men were reposted to other units of the Leicestershire Regiment including the 1/5th, 2/4th and 11th Battalions. Thomas, who was now a Sergeant, was transferred to the 1/5th Battalion at Busnettes. On the day he left the 2/5th Leicesters he was awarded the Military Medal. 

MM Citation

'The attack on the Menin-road was being held up, but this N.C.O. turned the gun on the remaining enemy who speedily surrendered on seeing our men again advancing. Thirty prisoners were taken and the position captured with slight loss, due to the action of this N.C.O. He encouraged his men by his cool demeanour and tireless energy an organisation of the line. After capturing the machine-gun he used it on the enemy and then pushed on, with a few men and captured 39 Germans.'

 During February the 1/5th Battalion was in training at Busnettes, Fiefs, and Reclinghem. Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.


On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling. On 10th April the battalion moved back into Hill 70 support, but the back areas were filled with gas and the men were sent to Coupigny Huts, Bracquemont.

Training began on 15th April but two days later 100 men became sick with what the medical specialists considered to be influenza. Sixty men were evacuated and a special rest station was set up. Those men who were well were moved to Hersin and another 100 evacuated. On 24th April the battalion moved to Bruay and went into Reserve at Fouquières on 25th, only to be shelled in their billets. As the battalion was marching to the trenches at Le Hamel on 28th April the enemy opened fire near Essars. Three men were killed and thirty-five wounded or gassed.

The battalion reached the trenches on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans. During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel. Breaks were taken at Vaudricourt Park Camp and in August there were four days of training at Hesdigneul. The men also enjoyed a concert party by The Whizz-Bangs at Verquin.

By 7th August there were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and at the beginning of September, when the battalion pushed forward to Richebourg, they found a number of notices pinned up which said: 'Dear Tommy, You are welcome to all we are leaving. When we stop we shall stop and stop you in a manner you won't appreciate. Fritz.' The day after the note was found the battalion front was severely bombarded by the enemy.

From 9th -11th September the battalion was in training at Gosnay sandpits and between Béthune and Verquin. On 12th September they entrained at Chocques for Ribemont-Méricourt. Between 14th and 18th September they continued training, at Sailly-le-Sec in field firing and using a compass at night, at Franvillers in a Brigade tactical scheme, and at Teutry in attack procedure.
               
MM 1st Bar Citation

'Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Pontruet Village.'

After this they marched to the Brigade support position in a newly captured sector east of Le Verguier and prepared for an attack on Pontruet. On 24th September the battalion took part in this operation before returning to the trenches at le Verguier. Thomas was awarded a Bar to his Military Medal for his role in the attack. It was reported that 'When his company was held up by a nest of machine-guns he went forward with two men and succeeded in overcoming the enemy and destroying the machine gun. Afterwards when his company and platoon commanders were knocked out he rallied his men and engaged other enemy machine guns with covering fire and so enabled other companies successfully to the village.'

A major operation was now being planned in the area of the St. Quentin Canal. This began on 29th September with an attack on the Hindenburg Line. The battalion advanced to the canal in artillery formation. After crossing the canal they advanced and secured Magny-la-Fosse on 1st October. On 3rd October 1918 A and D Coys, ordered to attack Doon Hill, formed up on the Preselles to Sequehart road. The battalion held this position until withdrawn to Etricourt on the night of 4th October. Between 5th and 11th October the battalion pressed forward towards Mericourt and Regnicourt before resting in billets at Fresnoy le Grand.

MM 2nd Bar Citation

'Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack at Fresnoy Le Grand railway station on 9/10/1918 and conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack on Riquerval Wood while he was in charge of a flank position with the next division on 11/10/1918'.

Thomas was awarded a Second Bar to his Military Medal after it was reported that:'This N.C.O. was platoon sergeant. He led a small party round the flank of the enemy's position in spite of machine gun fire from high ground on the east side of the railway line. Here by bombing the enemy's machine gun position he enabled it to be attacked from the front. During the attack on Riquerval Wood on 11th October 1918, he was in charge of a flank platoon working with the next position. He showed complete indifference to the enemy's machine gun fire, which was exceptionally heavy, and more than once, by his promptness in dealing with the enemy's indifference, enabled the advance to continue. He set the finest possible example throughout.' Thomas was one of only 129 British soldiers who were awarded the Military Medal and two Bars in the First World War. He was presented with his Military Medal and Bars by Lt. Colonel Toller.

Between 11th and 15th October the 1/5th Battalion was held in reserve at Vaux-Andigny. On 17th and 18th they into the line near Mennevret. For the rest of the month the battalion remained in Fresnoy-le-Grand, training, refitting, and playing games. The battalion left Fresnoy on 1st November and marched to Becquigny in preparation for an attack on the German positions on the Sambre-Oise Canal on 4th November. In the attack the battalion succeeded in occupying positions near Bois l'Abbaye. Over the next few days the Germans continued to retreat and the battalion reached Zorees and then Sains.

After the Armistice the battalion moved to Bousies, in the Landrecies area. In January 1919 they moved to Pommereuil and demobilisation began.

Thomas's brother Robert served with the Leicestershire Regiment and Labour Corps. His brother Edward served with the Labour Corps. His brother Leonard served with the Machine Gun Corps and the Leicestershire Regiment. All survived the war.

Thomas, his lungs damaged from gassing during the war, died of pneumonia in Loughborough, aged 38, on 10th June 1922. He was buried in Loughborough Cemetery. On 17th June 2017, in the presence of two granddaughters and a great-grandson a commemorative headstone was erected where he was buried.

After Thomas died his widow took as her partner Arthur Bassford and they had four children Elsie, Frederick, John and Marjorie Bassford. In 1939 Mary Marston and John Bassford were living at 14 Shakespeare Street, Loughborough, with Kathleen Mary Marston and Elsie Bassford.

Thomas's son Thomas Joseph Marston served with the Leicestershire Regiment for 29 years and became a Regimental Sergeant Major. He was awarded the MBE.


Thomas in back row, fourth from left.

Sergeant 10177 Henry Mee (Harry) MM




6th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment

The London Gazette. Supplement 31173.
7 February 1919. p. 2105.



Henry Mee (known as 'Harry') was born in Hathern, Leicestershire, on 6th July 1894. He was the son of William Mee and his wife Elizabeth Ann (née Housden) who were married on 10th November 1888 at All Saints Church, Loughborough. Harry had three brothers Charles, Ernest and Wilfred and four sisters Florence, Emma, Cecilia (known as ‘Sissy’) and Dorothy. He also had a half-sister Edith Housden born before his mother married William Mee.

Harry’s father was a general labourer and in 1901 the family lived in Golden Square, Hathern. By 1911 they had moved to 57 Station Road, Loughborough, and Harry, aged 16, was a brickyard apprentice. Harry’s father later became a slater.

Harry enlisted on 15th August 1914 and joined the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 10177. He was sent to Bordon, near Aldershot, Hampshire, where the emphasis was on individual training, squadron and platoon drill. In March 1915 the battalion went into billets in Liphook. In April 1915 the 6th Battalion became part of the 37th Division of the Army and concentrated at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. On 25th June the 37th Division was inspected by King George V at Sidbury Hill. On 22nd July 1915 the Division began to cross the English Channel and by 2nd August all units were concentrated near Tilques not far from St.Omer in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Harry arrived in France on 30th July 1915.

In September Harry's battalion was sent to the area of Berles-au-Bois, south-west of Arras and near the front line. In the months that followed the 6th Battalion did tours in the trenches, alternating with the 8th Leicesters who relieved them. The battalion was engaged in localised operations seeking a tactical advantage and remained in the area around Bienvillers and Bailleulmont until July 1916.

On 1st July 1916 the 6th Battalion moved from Saulty to Humbercamps, where it was held in reserve for the Somme Offensive which had just begun. On 6th July the battalion marched to Talmas to join the Army's 21st Division. From 7th to 10th July the battalion was in Hengest-sur-Somme, and from there on 10th marched to Ailly, entrained for Méricourt, took buses to Méaulte, and then proceeded to Fricourt. Between 14th and 17th July the battalion took part in an attack on and successfully captured Bazentin-le-Petit Wood and village. On 20th July the battalion entrained at Ribemont and detrained at Saleux, after which they marched to Hengest. Travelling part of the way in lorries and part of the way on foot they reached Arras on 27th July and relieved the 8th Leicesters in the trenches on 7th August. The remainder of August was spent in the trenches and in billets in Arras. During August Harry was injured on the ear by a hostile trench mortar.

On 4th September the battalion left Arras for Liencourt and after a week there for training moved to Fricourt and Bernafay Wood, east of Montauban-de-Picardie. Here from 19th to 24th September the men were employed in the improvement of communication and support trenches in preparation for a forthcoming attack on Gueudecourt. On 25th September the 6th Leicesters moved up to the assembly trenches in order to be ready to support the 8th and 9th Leicesters as they advanced. Progress was made north and east of Gueudecourt but as the Leicesters consolidated their position the village itself and its approaches were heavily bombarded by the enemy. This situation remained the same over the next few days. During the action Harry received a gunshot wound to his right hand. After the attack the battalion returned to bivouac at Bernafay Wood.

On 4th October the battalion began a three-day transfer by train and route march to Sailly-Labourse and began trench tours in the Hohenzollern Sector near Vermelles. They remained in the front line, in the support trenches or in Reserve until mid-December when they moved to Auchel. From 21st December 1916 to 28th January 1917 the battalion was in training at Auchel.

The battalion continued training at Houtkerque until mid-February 1917. Trench tours at Noyelles and Vermelles followed until the beginning of April when the battalion transferred to Hamelincourt. From 11th to 13th April the battalion was in action at the start of the Arras Offensive and on 3rd May in an attack on Fontaines les Croisilles.

On the following day the battalion moved to the support posts on the Sunken Road, staying there until 8th May when they moved to the forward posts. Relieved on 11th May they marched to the railway bank and on 12th May to billets in Berles-au-Bois. The remainder of May was spent resting and training in musketry and tactical schemes. On 14th May 1917 Harry was appointed a Lance Corporal.

From 1st-7th June two companies of the battalion worked on improving C Camp at Moyenville whilst the other two companies worked for the Royal Engineers digging communication trenches in Sunken Road. Following this the battalion returned to the trenches at Croisilles, taking the front line from 11th-19th June. Here they were heavily shelled. From C Camp at Moyenville on 20th June the battalion moved to Hendecourt-les-Ransart for rest, training and field firing.

Back in Divisional Reserve at Moyenville on 1st July the battalion moved back into the front line and support trenches at Croisilles from 8th July until 1st August. From 1st-9th August there was training at Moyenville as well as working parties at St. Leger prior to another trench tour at Croisilles until 17th. August concluded with training at Hamelincourt and Manin.

In the first two weeks of September the 6th Battalion was occupied with training, sports and a military gymkhana at Manin. On 16th September the battalion entrained at Savy for Caestre and continued training there and at Fontaine Houck until 25th September. On 26th they moved by bus to a camp on the road between La Clytte and Dickebusch and immediately marched to Scottish Wood and Bedford House. The battalion moved up to the line on the Ypres-Menin Road near Hooge on 30th September.

On October 1st they moved into reserve in Polygon Wood before being relieved for two days. On 4th October the battalion moved to Zillebeke Lake and consolidated in front of Polygon Wood. From 5th – 8th October the battalion was in the front line, after which they moved to Scottish Wood Camp. A two-day break at Ebblinghem was followed by a return to Scottish Wood Camp to provide a working party for the Royal Engineers and also for instruction until 22nd October. On 23rd October the battalion moved to a new camp which was a complete sea of mud. On 29th October they returned to the front line and suffered from a heavy enemy barrage. On 5th November they marched to Brewery Camp, Dickebusch. The battalion was back in the front line at Zillebeke on 11th November. Between 16th and 21st November the battalion was on a six-day march from Scottish Wood, via Reninghelst, Le Chien Blanc, Neuf Berquin and Annezin to Coupigny before moving to Monchy-Breton for training.

On 30th November the battalion received sudden orders to march to Savy and entrain for Tincourt. From there they marched via Buire to Villers-Faucon and on 4th December relieved the 7th Leicesters in the front line at Epehy. Four days later the battalion went into reserve at the railway embankment. Three more trench tours took up the remainder of December with breaks at Villers-Faucon and Saulcourt. In the front line it was bitterly cold, with drifting snow up to four feet in the trenches. The battalion finally enjoyed Christmas dinner on 3rd January 1918.

Back in Divisional Reserve on 4th January the battalion provided working parties for tunnelling and construction of dugouts until 15th January when they moved to a camp at Liéramont. Following another trench tour at Epehy where, amid shelling, extensive patrolling was carried out the battalion completed night work on the village defences.

After two more trench tours the battalion proceeded by march and light railway to Haut Allaines on 7th February. Here, as well as resting and cleaning up the battalion was reorganised and took part in range firing practice and other training. They also attended a concert by the Soarers. After moving to Don Camp, Moislains, to join their Brigade the men were inspected by Sir Douglas Haig. Further training followed until 18th February when the battalion returned to camp at Lieramont to work on the trenches..

From 1st to 7th March every available man was employed constructing posts in Epehy and on the Yellow and Red Lines as well as improving village defences under the Royal Engineers. On 16th March a very successful raid was made on the enemy lines. From 17th-20th March the battalion was in support before being ordered to take up battle positions.

On 21st March the Germans opened their Spring Offensive and broke through part of the British line. The British counter-attacked with tanks. On 22nd March, the day when Harry was promoted to the rank of Corporal, the enemy began an intense bombardment and their snipers began to encroach to the rear of part of the British line. The battalion was forced to fight a rear-guard action and then withdraw to Longavesnes where they were heavily shelled. Between the 23rd and 30th March the battalion was forced into a withdrawal to Ribemont, Heilly and finally to Allonville. Casualties in the battalion between 21st and 30th March numbered 463.

On 1st April the battalion entrained at St. Roch, Amiens, for Hopoutre and travelled by lorry to Wakefield Camp, Locre. From there they moved via Alberta Camp, Westoutre, to Ramillies Camp, Kemmel, for two days of training. After a further two days at De Zon Camp the battalion proceeded by light railway to the front near Lambton. Here, on 10th April an enemy plane dropped bombs on the battalion's lines and enemy snipers were very active. In spite of enemy interference the battalion completed wiring work for the Royal Engineers before moving to Zillebeke Lake to work on a new line and establish strongpoints from French Farm to Convent Lane. They also prepared unnecessary bridges for destruction, recaptured Image Wood, and repulsed the enemy from an attack on a post.

On 25th April the enemy launched a hostile bombardment with high explosive and gas shells. One gas shell entered the H.Q. runners' dug out and all runners and signallers were gassed. On 28th April part of the battalion formed a defensive flank from Hazelbury Farm to Iron Bridge and was heavily bombarded by the enemy.

Relieved on 1st May the battalion marched via Watou to the Lederzeele area west of Buysscheure and on 4th May entrained at Wizernes for Lhéry. Training then took place at a camp east of Lagery until 12th May. Between 13th and 15th May the battalion proceeded via Bouvancourt and Hermonville and went into the line between Cauroy and Cormicy. Between 21st and 26th May the battalion was in Divisional reserve at D Camp, Chalons-le-Vergeur.

On 27th May the battalion took part in the 3rd Battle of the Aisne during which the Germans succeeded in pushing the Allies across the Aisne and down as far as the Marne at Chateau Thierry, capturing the towns of Soissons and Fère-en-Tardenois as they did so. This cost the battalion 379 casualties.

After the battle the battalion moved to Etréchy and on 3rd June marched to Courjeonnet. Between 9th and 14th June training took place at Moeurs, after which the battalion moved by lorry, train and bus to Rambures, Somme. The rest of June was spent at Bazinval, in training.

During July the battalion spent some time at Arqéves for training in musketry and tactical schemes and the rest of the month in the front and support lines at Acheux. The first three weeks of August were taken up with a lengthy trench tour west of Hamel and working parties at Englebelmer. On 4th August Harry was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

On 21st August the battalion moved to the assembly positions west of Hamel and went into the advance but were compelled to withdraw because of the opposition. Subsequent attacks on the following days were more successful and they followed through Le Sars to Eaucourt l'Abbé despite a hostile counter-attack. On 26th August the battalion moved to Warlencourt in Divisional reserve and two days later into the frontline at Butte de Warlencourt.

On 1st September the battalion took part in an attack of Beaulencourt. Between 4th and 11th September they moved via Villars-au-Flos, Manancourt and Equancourt to Heudecourt where they went into the line on 12th September. On 18th September they took part in an attack at Heudecourt, after which they moved to Etricourt and rested. They then moved to Sord-le-Grand and went into the line in the Gauche Wood sector. On 29th September the enemy attacked but then withdrew and the battalion pursued them to Villers-Guislain.

October began with a break at Gouzeaucourt followed by a trench tour in support at Banteauzelle. The battalion then made a successful attack on the Beauvoir Line before marching to Caullery on 10th October. At Caullery reorganisation and training took place until 21st October. On 23rd October the battalion made another successful attack near Amerval. At the end of October the battalion was in the trenches at Poix-du-Nord.

At the beginning of November the battalion was in billets at Orvillers. On 6th November they crossed the River Sambre at Berlaimont but were initially unable to advance any further because of enemy machine gun fire. Eventually they succeeded in advancing through Bachant before being ordered to withdraw to Berlaimont. On Armistice Day they marched to Beaufort.

The battalion remained at Beaufort for training, parades and sports until 12th December. Between 13th and 16th December they moved via Berlaimont, Vendigies, Inchy and Ferriers to Guignemicourt. Here recreational training and education classes took place until early March 1919. Harry was discharged from the Army in early 1919 and awarded the Military Medal.

Harry returned to Loughborough and became a fitter and later a horticultural labourer. On 29th August 1925 he married Doris Emma Stubley, a laundress, at St. Peter’s Church, Loughborough. They first lived at 22B Union Street, Loughborough, before moving to 20 Shelthorpe Avenue. Harry and Doris had one daughter Pauline, born in 1932. Harry died on 12th April 1955 in Loughborough, aged 60.

Company Sergeant Major 20845 Ernest Neale MM,
Silver Cross of St. George (Russia) MiD

 

6th Bn, Machine Gun Company

Previously 16th Bde, Machine Gun Corps

Previously 9612 1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment and subsequently 780833 Leicestershire Regiment

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 29805.
27 October 1916. p. 10482.

(Silver Cross of St. George, Fourth Class [Russia])
The London Gazette. Supplement 29275.
24 August 1915. p. 8516.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 29200.
18 June 1915. p. 5993.

 

 

Ernest Edward Neale was born in South Wigston, Leicestershire, on 7th June 1896. He was the son of Arthur William Neale (or Neal) and his wife Jane Hutchinson (or Hutcheson) who were married at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire, on 30th May 1887. Ernest had five brothers Alfred, Arthur, Ernest, Bertie and George and two sisters Gertrude and Lillian. Two other siblings died young.

Ernest’s father, who had originally been a collier, enlisted in 1880 with the Scots Guards. He served with the 2nd Battalion of the regiment in Canada and then in 1885 in the Sudan, including at the Battle of Hasheen. He was awarded the Queen’s Sudan Medal with a bar for Suakin and the Khedive Star. When he left the Army he firstly became a shoe finisher but by 1891 he had joined the Leicestershire Constabulary as a police constable.

In 1891 the family was living in the Bread Market, Lutterworth. By 1901 they had moved to Mowmacre Hill, Beaumont Leys, Leicester. In 1911 Ernest, aged 14, had left home and was working as a servant at The Hollies, Beaumont Leys, in the household of Henry Ilsley, retired hotel keeper. Between 1911 and 1916, after Ernest’s father retired, his parents moved to 18 Station Street, Loughborough.

In 1912, when Ernest was sixteen (and two years underage) he enlisted with the Leicestershire Regiment. He joined the 1st Battalion as Private 9612. Ernest was then sent to the Army Barracks in Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland, where he remained until 1914. Ernest did well in Fermoy and was promoted to Lance Corporal on 2nd July 1913. He was just seventeen.

After war broke out Ernest’s battalion moved to a camp at Coldham's Common, Cambridge, on 19th August. On 7th September the battalion marched to Royston, Hertfordshire, and entrained for Southampton where they embarked on the HMS Braemar Castle.

Ernest disembarked at St. Nazaire, Brittany on 9th September 1914. From St. Nazaire the battalion travelled by train to Mortcerf, east of Paris, arriving early in the morning of 13th September and then began a long march to the British Army in the line at Courcelles, on far side of the Aisne.

On 14th September the 1st Leicesters relieved the Worcesters and Royal Irish Rifles in the trenches at La Fosse Marguel where they came under constant shell fire and sniping until they in turn were relieved on 12th October by 106th French Infantry Regiment. On 13th October the Battalion entrained at Fismes, 40 men crammed to each horse box. Some slept on the roof, although it was bitterly cold. They detrained on 17th October at Cassel and marched to take up defensive positions at Croix Blanche. From there, two days later, they marched to Rue de Bois, Armentières, and Bois Grenier, the day on which the First Battle of Ypres began.

Between 13th and 19th October the 1st Battalion advanced from Hazebrouck to the western portion of the ridge between Armentières and Lille. On 20th October the battalion were ordered to entrench a line between the east of Boulogne and Port Egale. Between 21st and 26th October the battalion came under repeated enemy attacks and gun fire until withdrawn to Bois Grenier.

In the spring of 1915 the 1st Leicesters were stationed near Armentières and were involved in an attack intended to divert the enemy from the area of Neuve Chapelle. Ernest was now Mentioned in Despatches for consistent good work in the trenches from January to April. In June and July 1915 the 1st Leicesters were fighting again at Hooge. Ernest was afterwards awarded the Silver Cross of St. George, Fourth Class, by the Tsar of Russia.

In August the battalion spent time in reserve in the ramparts at Ypres. September 9th found the battalion occupying the front line at Ypres and on the receiving end of enemy action. On 15th September they moved back to the canal bank for digging parties, laying wire and for the construction of a light railway.

For the greater part of October 1915 the battalion occupied trenches in the Potijze sector or sheltered in the rear by the canal bank. In November, while in billets at Poperinghe, their billets were shelled by a long-distance enemy gun. In December, while in the trenches at Wieltje, they experienced a severe enemy attack by poison gas.

Between January and July 1916 the battalion remained on the Ypres Salient. Although Ernest’s service papers have not survived in early 1916 he was transferred to the 16th Brigade of the Machine Gun Corps as Corporal 20845. By October, and only just nineteen, he had been promoted to Sergeant. He was also awarded the Military Medal.

Of the 170,500 men and officers serving in the Machine Gun Corps, no less than 62,049 became casualties of whom 12,498 were killed during the war. Not unsurprisingly the men of the Machine Gun Corps earned the rather gruesome nickname of the Suicide Club.

The 16th Brigade was formed in February 1916 and Ernest is likely to have been sent to the Corps training centre at Belton Park, Grantham, or to the Base Depot at Camiers, France, for initial training. The precise date he joined the Machine Gun Corps in the field is unknown but it was at some point before October 1916.

In May 1916 and early June the 16th Brigade of the Machine Gun Corps was on the Ypres Salient, and there was considerable artillery action. From mid-June to 13th July the brigade had a break at Wormhoudt and underwent training. On 14th July they marched to Camp N at Poperinghe. On 16th July they returned to the front line at Ypres. The front was fairly quiet and they were able to work on new gun emplacements until 28th July. On 29th the brigade was relieved and then marched to Brandhoek.

On 2nd August the brigade entrained for Doullens and marched to Amplier. Two days later they marched to Puchevillers and two days after that to Acheux. On 9th August they returned to the line. Relieved on 14th August they proceeded to Mailly-Maillet Wood. Back in the line on 15th August they remained in action until 27th August. After being relieved they moved via Bertrancourt and Amplier to Naours where training took place until 5th September. Between 6th and 8th September the brigade marched via Villers Bocage and Corbie to Bois des Tailles and on 10th September moved up to the trenches at Guillemont. Here, on 15th September, they provided an artillery barrage and were in action on the following days. Relieved on 19th they marched to Morlancourt. On 21st they were back in the line at Briquetterie, near Montauban before taking part in the Battle of Morval between 25th and 27th September. On 30th September they reached rest billets at Méaulte. Most of October was spent in the line before the brigade moved by train from Longpré to Béthune on 28th of the month.

Training took place at Béthune until 26th November when the company moved into the line near Le Quesnoy. The men remained in action here until 22nd December, with an occasional break at billets in Le Quesnoy. Christmas Day was spent at Béthune, but the company's war diary has the following sad little note: 'Nothing was sent to the Company from England except 6 tins of Xmas pudding'.

On 27th December the men went into the line in the Hohenzollern sector and until 14th February 1917 were firing most days as well as repairing parapets, dugouts and other positions. On 15th February the company marched to Robecq for two week's training. On 1st March they went into the line in the Loos sector. Here the enemy shelled all the reserve lines on 8th and 10th March and Loos village on 13th and 14th March and the company responded with heavy firing.

In early April the enemy shelled Les Brebis, Maroc and Philosophe, followed by heavy shelling of the allies' trenches. On 25th April the company was moved to the St. Elie sector near Vermelles and four days later was on the receiving end of enormous enemy gas shells. On 11th May company headquarters was moved to Mazingarbe. On 20th May enemy machine guns attacked the front and support lines and there was a big explosion at Hulluch.

Half of June was spent in the line at Mazingarbe firing at day or night and the other half in training. On 30th June company headquarters moved from Mazingarbe to the entrance to the Hulluch Tunnel where day or night firing continued and 60 tons of gas was discharged over the enemy trenches. Relieved on the night of 24th/25th July the company went by bus to billets in Bailleul-aux-Cornailles for cleaning up, training and brigade sports until 23rd August.

From late August until mid-October the company was back in the line near Les Brebis and carrying out harassing night fire, with one break at Noeux-les-Mines. Further training then took place at Noeux-les-Mines, followed by a tactical exercise in machine gun barrage at Brevillers. On 14th November the company entrained at Bouquemaison for Peronne and marched to Moislains and then to No. 2 Camp at Fins. After three days in the line at Villers Plouich the company moved to the Hindenburg support line near Nine Wood on 21st November. On 30th November the company formed a defensive line from the western outskirts of Gouzeaucourt to Villers Plouich and experienced heavy enemy machine gun fire and shelling.

After the company returned to the line between the St. Quentin Canal and Marcoing on 2nd December there was a very heavy enemy barrage on all trenches. On 4th December the brigade began harassing fire south-west of Premy Chapel and on the following days took up other defensive positions. Relieved on 10th they moved to Sorel le Grand and, after a day’s rest, by bus to No. 4 Camp, Hendecourt. On 14th the brigade marched to Courcelles-le-Comte, where they remained in training until New Year’s Day 1918.

Training continued at Bellacourt and Fremicourt until 26th January when the brigade moved into the line in the Boursies sector. The brigade diary for February 1918 is unfortunately missing.

On 1st March 1918 the four machine gun brigades in the 6th Division, namely the 16th, 18th, 71st and 192nd, were amalgamated together at Favreuil to form No. 6 Battalion, Machine Gun Company.

On 21st March the enemy began their Spring Offensive and the brigade had to indent for more guns as a lot were feared lost. On 22nd teams were ordered to Logeast Camp. The battalion had suffered 281 casualties over two days. On 23rd March the battalion was ordered to a position behind Logeast Wood with four guns, the only guns they had left. After a day the men and guns were withdrawn to Ritz Camp, Achiet.

On 24th March they were ordered to entrain at Puisieux-au-Mont, Companies A and C for Doullens, B, D and HQ for Mondecourt. The battalion then moved to Steenvoorde and one company proceeded to Ypres by light railway to provide a relief at Zonnebeke and one company marched to Godewaersvelde and entrained for Wackatoo Camp, Café Belge, Ypres. On 3rd April the two remaining companies at Steenvoorde marched to Wackatoo Camp and on 4th some of the men went into the line. By 15th April all companies were in the front and support lines. By 26th April two companies were still at Ypres and two companies were outside Poperinghe in reserve. During May the guns remained south of Ypres and inter-company reliefs took place.

On 6th and 7th June the battalion moved to a camp south-west of St. Jan ter Biezen for inspections and training until the end of June. The battalion then returned to the line and was in action until 20th August when they began moving to billets at Esquerdes. On 28th August they proceeded to Hellebrouck.

On 1st September the battalion marched to Wizernes and on the following day entrained for Mericourt and marched to Baiseux where training took place until 10th September. On 11th September the battalion marched to billets at Corbie. Between14th and 16th September two companies went by bus to Monchy-Lagache south of Peronne, one company went into the line near Holnon Wood and one company moved to Beauvois. Between 18th and 26th September the battalion was in continuous action. On 29th the battalion concentrated in the area west of St. Quentin Wood. On 30th September two companies moved to Beaumetz and two to Catelet.

On 4th October the battalion marched to the area of Bellenglise and on 6th one company crossed the St. Quentin Canal. Between 8th and 18th October the battalion took part in several successful attacks. Companies were then withdrawn to Bohain but returned to the line on 20th. At the beginning of November the battalion was based at Busigny and St. Souplet and on 4th November three companies put down a barrage east of the Oise-Sambre Canal. On 5th they marched to billets near Bohain for training. They were in Bohain when the Armistice was declared.

On 14th November the battalion began a progressive march via La Groise and Thirimont to Chastres. Here there was a week’s break for cleaning up and recreational training. On 2nd December the march continued through Belgium via Natoye, Soheit-Tinlot and Aywaille to Germany reaching Rosberg on New Year’s Eve. In Rosberg the battalion was occupied with parades and the start of an educational scheme as well as destroying horses for meat. Demobilisation began in March 1919 from Rosberg, Bruhl and Kierdorf.

After the war was over Ernest rejoined the Leicestershire Regiment as Company Sergeant Major 780833. On 4th June 1921 he married Edna Jane Elizabeth French at St. Mark’s Church, Leicester. Ernest and Edna had two daughters Margaret and Betty. In 1939 the family was living at 5 Walker Road, Barrow upon Soar and Ernest was a police sergeant with the Leicestershire Constabulary. After the Second World War he was awarded the Defence Medal.

Ernest died on 16th July 1970 in Dudley, West Midlands.
 

Lieutenant William Norman DCM MM MiD

 

1st, 3rd and 1/5th Bns Leicestershire Regiment.

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30204. 24 July 1917. p. 7658.

(MM) The London Gazette Supplement 29805. 27 October 1916. p. 10482.

(MiD) The London Gazette Supplement 30086. 22 May 1917. p. 5030.

 

Private 419503 Michael Francis O'Brien MM



Royal Army Medical Corps

Previously 3021 1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment

The London Gazette. Supplement 29819.
10 November 1916. p. 10928.



 
Michael Francis O’Brien was born in Cappoquin, County Waterford, Ireland, on 16th November 1882. He was the eldest child of Bartholomew and Katherine O’Brien (known as ‘Kate’). Michael had three brothers Roger, Thomas and Patrick and three sisters Mary, Julia, and Ellen.

In 1901 the O’Brien family lived in Barrack Street, Cappoquin, and Michael and his father were both employed as labourers in the Cappoquin iron foundry begun by R. and F. Keane (later part of Wexford Engineering). On 7th March 1901 Michael’s father was fined for being found drunk in the street at Cappoquin. Between 1901 and 1905 the O’Brien family left Ireland and moved to Loughborough where Michael and his father were both employed as furnace men at Morris’s Empress Works.

On 10th November 1906 Michael married Bertha Adcock in Loughborough. The couple initially set up home in Barrow on Soar where their two children Thomas and Ellen were born. By 1911, however, they had moved to 24 Queen Street, Loughborough, and between 1911 and 1914 to 33 Empress Road. At Empress Road they were only a few doors away from Michael’s parents and family who were living at No. 39.

Not long after he came to Loughborough Michael joined the 1st Leicestershire Volunteers. By the time war broke out Michael was ‘time expired’ but he reenlisted on 21st October 1914. He joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 3021.

Michael joined the battalion which was training at Luton and then at Bishop's Stortford, Ware and Sawbridgeworth. The battalion entrained at Harlow for Southampton on 25th February 1915. The battalion sailed for France on the SS Duchess of Argyll and the SS Atalanta on the following day in very rough seas.

After arriving in Le Havre on 27th February they travelled by train via Rouen, Abbeville and St. Omer to Arneke where they detrained for Hardifort. Between 5th and 9th March the battalion was in the trenches near Armentières. On 10th and 11th March the battalion, which had moved to Strazeele, was in training. The battalion then proceeded to Sailly-sur-la-Lys and was held in reserve for, but did not take part in, the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10th-13th March 1915). Training continued at Doulieu and Bailleul until 3rd April.

On 4th April the battalion went into the trenches near Wulverghem where they were subjected to shelling and continual sniping by the enemy. Relieved on 9th April they proceeded to Dranoutre. They returned to the trenches near Hill 60 on 13th April, and then moved on to Zillebeke, followed by a tour in the area of Mount Kemmel.

From June to September 1915 the battalion remained in the area of Zillebeeke and Ouderdom, before being ordered to proceed towards Loos in October. On 12th October 1915 the battalion travelled to the Hohenzollern Redoubt, arriving in Vermelles at 10.00pm. They spent the next eight hours in communication trenches. On 13th October 1915 during the attack on the Redoubt, part of the final stages of the Battle of Loos, the 1/5th Battalion was in reserve until just after midday, when they 'went over the top' and came under intense machine gun fire. After the battle the battalion was reorganised at La Couture, Merville and Thuenne. During the battle Michael, who was for some time a stretcher bearer, volunteered to fetch in the late Captain Rawdon Hastings and succeeded in his dangerous mission of bringing the body of the Captain to a place of safety.

January 1916 was taken up with a potential move of the 1/5th Leicesters to Egypt which was aborted at Marseilles, the battalion being returned to Candas, and the area of Vimy Ridge. In mid-February 1916 the 1/5th Battalion took over the line north of the River Ancre opposite Beaumont-Hamel in France. On 29th February the battalion moved to the area of Doullens where the men worked on improving the trenches despite being subjected to a considerable bombardment from the enemy with mines and craters being blown.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge, Pas de Calais, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers and then to billets in Luchaux for bayonet training. This was followed by a period at Souastre digging cable trenches and constructing bomb stores and gun pits in preparation for a 'big push'.

On 4th June 1916 the battalion was moved up to trenches near Gommecourt. This was followed by further training at Warlincourt. On 30th June the battalion assembled in a trench near Foncquevillers Church ready for the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the first day of the Somme Offensive planned for 1st July. In the attack at Gommecourt the 46th Division of the Army, of which the 1/5th Leicesters were part, suffered 2445 casualties. Michael, again a stretcher bearer, wrote to his wife that ‘I fetched four men in wounded, only three or four yards from the German lines, and saved three of their lives. They were all married men’. He enclosed a card from Major-General E. Stuart Wortley, Commanding the North Midland Division congratulating him for his conspicuous bravery in the field. The communication read: ‘Your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander have informed me that you have distinguished yourself by conspicuous bravery in the field. I have read their report with much pleasure’. Michael was awarded the Military Medal.

On 7th July the battalion relieved the 4th Lincolnshires in the trenches opposite Essarts-lès-Bucquoy. The battalion remained in the area of Monchy-au-Bois until 29th October, either in the trenches or resting at Bienvillers or Pommier. The battalion's next move was to Millencourt for intensive battle training, returning to Halloy and then Souastre at the beginning of December.

The battalion remained at Souastre until 11th March 1917 and then moved once more up to the line taking over 2,600 yards of frontage from the La Brayelle road to the Hannescamps-Monchy road. On 17th March they moved into Gommecourt for road mending before moving to Bertrancourt, Raincheval and then Rainvillers not far from Amiens.

On 28th March the battalion marched to Saleux, entrained for Lillers in the north, and marched to Laires. Training took place until 13th April and continued for three further days at Manqueville, after which the battalion moved to the western outskirts of Lens. From there they marched to Bully-Grenay and went into the front line trenches where they were heavily shelled. On 29th April the battalion went into rest billets in cellars at Cité St. Pierre until 3rd May when they went into support trenches. On 8th they went into billets at Fosse 10 near Petit Sains for training and on 12th into reserve at Angres.

On 15th May 1917 Michael returned to England. He was transferred to the 6th Training Battalion of the Royal Army Medical Corps at Blackpool and re-numbered as Private 410503. In the autumn of 1917 he appears to have been working at the General Military Hospital in Colchester. On 3rd October 1918 he was transferred to Army Reserve and discharged on 4th April 1919.

Michael returned to Loughborough and in 1939 he was living with his wife and son Thomas at 33 Empress Road and employed as a dyer’s labourer. He died in 1956 in Loughborough, aged 74.

 

Michael (centre standing) Also served as Private 419503 Royal Army Medical Corps.   

                      

Company Sergeant Major 643998 Leonard Onions  MM

 

116th Bn (Ontario County), Canadian Infantry.

Previously 157th Bn (Simcoe Foresters)

The London Gazette. Supplement 30585. 15 March 1918. p. 3473.

 

Leonard Onions was born in Loughborough on 31st August 1891. He was the youngest son of Frederick Onions and his wife Eliza (née Barker) who were married in Loughborough in 1880. Leonard’s father was an agricultural engineer and the family lived at 51A Regent Street, Loughborough. Leonard had two brothers George and Edward and two sisters Charlotte and Ethel.

In 1911 Leonard, aged 19, was a bookkeeper for Moss and Taylor, solicitors of Wood Gate, Loughborough. He also joined the 1/5th (Territorial) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. He then became engaged to Lillian Blyth Chapman (known as ‘Lily’) who was a waitress in Coalville. Leonard and Lily emigrated to Canada in June 1912, sailing on the SS Ascania (Cunard Line) from Southampton to Quebec. On 5th August 1912 they were married in Waubaushene, County Simcoe, Ontario.

Leonard enlisted for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) at Orillia, Ontario, on 23rd May 1916. At the time he enlisted he and his wife were living at 20 Picton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario.

On enlistment Leonard joined the 157th (Simcoe Foresters) Battalion of the Canadian Infantry as Private 643998. The 157th Battalion had been tasked with constructing a new army training camp on the Simcoe Pines Plain, which was to be named Camp Borden. By the summer of 1916 Camp Borden was home to 36 CEF battalions in nine brigades before they embarked overseas. On the night of Camp Borden's official opening, a riot by members of other battalions was suppressed by both the 157th and 177th battalions of the Simcoe Foresters, which were turned out with bayonets fixed.

Training at Camp Borden ended on 13th October 1916, when the 157th Battalion departed for Halifax, Nova Scotia. Embarking on board the SS Cameronian on 17th October 1916, the battalion sailed for Liverpool, England, arriving on 28th October. From Liverpool, the 157th Battalion moved to Witley Camp, Surrey, for a week before proceeding to Bramshott Camp, Hampshire, as part of the 7th Training Brigade. On 16th November 1916 Leonard was appointed an Acting Sergeant

Like so many CEF Battalions arriving in England at that time, the 157th Battalion (Simcoe Foresters) was broken up for reinforcements to existing units. On 8th December Leonard was posted to join the 116th (Ontario County) Battalion at Bramshott. On 9th January 1917 Leonard reverted to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal.

On 11th February the 116th Battalion entrained at Milford for Folkestone and embarked on HMT Victoria. After arriving at Boulogne they marched to St. Martin’s rest camp. On 13th February the battalion entrained for St. Pol and on the following day carried on by train to Houdain and marched to Divion. From Divion they proceeded to Haillecourt where training took place until 27th February. On 28th February the battalion marched to Lières where training continued until 5th March. Further training then took place at Maries-les-Mines, Auchel and Gouy until 11th March.

On 12th March A Coy moved into the support trenches where German snipers were very active and B, C and D Coys joined A Coy in the line the following day. On 15th March D Coy moved back to Villers-au-Bois to rest before proceeding to Haillecourt while the men in the trenches supplied night working parties on wiring. On being relieved the three companies left in the trenches moved severally to Dumbell Camp, Gouy and Haillecourt. On 25th March the battalion concentrated at Houdain and undertook training until 6th April. On 1st April 1917 Leonard was confirmed in the rank of Lance Corporal.

Between 9th and 11th April the battalion took part in the Battle of Arras. After the battle until 20th April the battalion supplied working parties for work on the Lens-Arras road and carrying parties to the front line trenches. On 20th April they moved to the Berthonval area for further working parties. On 28th April they returned to the support line.

From 8th-12th May training took place at Villers-au-Bois followed by cable and track laying. Another trench tour took place at the end of May. June began with the battalion in Divisional reserve in the Toronto Area. Relieved on 6th June they moved to Villers-au-Bois for training, sports and rest until 13th. The rest of June included two further trench tours on the Vimy defences and platoon and company drill.

Relieved on 1st July the battalion moved back to the Toronto Area. On 5th July they marched to rest billets at Chateau de la Haie for five days sports and training. From 12th-17th July training continued at Comak Camp prior to a return to the line and on 15th July Leonard was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

Back in the trenches and preparing for an attack the battalion was subjected to an enemy gas attack. Over the next few days they were involved in several actions and suffered 74 casualties. On 25th July the battalion moved to Halifax Camp, Zouave valley, and then to Camblain l’Abbé.

In August the battalion was in training until 15th when they marched to Auchel for the dumbell competition. On 20th they proceeded to billets in Gouy-Servins prior to moving into the front line. After experiencing intermittent hostile shelling the battalion was relieved on 27th August and moved into Brigade support. August ended with cable laying, trench digging and carrying parties.

Back in the trenches on 2nd September they were again intermittently shelled. On 4th they moved to Marqueffles Farm and on 6th to Ottawa Camp near Ouderdom. On 7th they were employed digging new communication trenches and on 15th moved up to the front line to dig further trenches. On 17th September the enemy opened a barrage on the front line and attacked but were repelled. Relieved on 18th the battalion marched to Thelus Cave and were transported by light railway to Fraser Camp, Mont St. Eloi. Training took place there and at Ourton until 14th October. On 15th October the battalion marched to Tincques, entrained for Godewaersvelde and marched to billets at Caestre. On 22nd October they entrained again for X Camp, Wieltje, before moving to the Banks Farm area to provide working parties.

On 13th November they moved to Camp C, near Jasper Farm and on 14th to the Capricorn forward area. On 19th, once relieved from the trenches, the battalion moved by bus from Ypres to Haverskerque and marched to Amettes.

Leonard was granted two weeks leave from 23rd November to 9th December and travelled to England to visit his parents in Loughborough. When he rejoined his battalion they were training at Auchel. On 19th December the battalion began moving over three days via Busnettes and Houchin to Maroc where they went into the front line. On 28th December they moved back to the support line at the Cité St. Pierre and supplied working parties.

On 4th January 1918 the battalion moved into the front line until 9th January. One company remained in support at the Cité St. Pierre while the other three returned to Les Brebis. On 10th one more company moved up in support. On 18th January an inter-company relief took place. On 22nd January the whole battalion was back in Les Brebis.

On 24th and 25th January the battalion marched via Bruay to Raimbert for training until 18th February after which they moved to Reben Camp, Villers-au-Bois. During this training period Leonard was sent on a tump line course. On 20th February the battalion went into the support area at Avion and provided working parties. On 27th they moved up to the front line.

Relieved on 5th March the battalion moved to Hills Camp, Neuville. Platoons were reorganised and working parties provided for the forward area until 12th March. On 13th March they marched to Suburban Camp, Villers-au-Bois, for working parties, training and recreational sports. On 15th March Leonard was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.

On 20th March the battalion entrained on the light railway at Ordnance Siding, Villers-au-Bois, for Zivi Siding and moved into the support line before taking over additional frontages. On 25th the front line was heavily strafed by enemy trench mortars and on 28th the enemy launched an attack which failed. Frequent overnight patrols were carried out.

On 1st April the battalion carried out a very successful raid on the enemy. On 3rd April they moved to the Acheville left support area and on 5th, having been relieved, marched back over Vimy Ridge, to Hanson Camp near Neuville St. Vaast. On 10th April they provided a relief in the support area of Cité St. Pierre, travelling by light railway from Territorial Siding. After a few days in support the battalion held the front line until 23rd April when they moved into Divisional reserve in Bully-Grenay. Range work and musketry classes then took place until the end of the month when the battalion moved to Petit Servins and Chateau de la Haie.

On 2nd May the battalion marched to Monchy Breton and then on 5th to Raibert and Auchel. The battalion then moved via La Lacque to Enquin les Mines. May was almost entirely devoted to training and sports. On 31st May the battalion marched to Busnes and on 2nd June to Rely. Training and sports competitions continued throughout most of June but by 24th June the battalion had been hit by an epidemic of influenza, with 275 cases reported.

On 26th June the battalion marched to Aire, entrained for Aubigny and marched to Lignereuil. On 1st July they moved to Wailly Woods Camp for attack training and sports. On 6th July they took over the front at Neuville-Vitasse where extra shelters had to be built and night-time patrols took place. Back in support on 15th July there were working parties and training sessions. On 26th July the battalion moved to Y Hutments near Etrun for four days of training and inspections. They then moved via Warluzel, Aumont, Taisnil and Hebecourt, reaching the Bois de Gentelles on 5th August.

From 8th-15th August the battalion fought tirelessly in the Battle of Amiens, suffering 90 casualties. They then rested in Beaucourt Wood before moving by bus to Bouque Maison. On 22nd August they marched to Maizières, on 23rd to Harbarcq and on 25th to Y Hutments on the Arras-St. Pol road. Between 26th and 28th August the battalion was again in full action in the Battle of the Scarpe, incurring 295 casualties. The battalion then rested at Y Huts, Feuchy.

On 31st August Leonard was promoted to Company Quartermaster Sergeant. In the Canadian forces this denoted that he was in charge of supplies.

On 3rd September the battalion moved to the Vis-en-Artois area and bivouacked in a line of trenches which were bombed overnight. On 4th September they took over the front line at Ecourt St. Quentin and pushed out patrols to the Sensée River and Canal du Nord. One patrol had a stiff fight with the enemy post at Palleul bridge head. Over the next few days various attempts were made to defuse enemy explosives placed under bridges. Relieved on 11th the battalion moved out to bivouacs near Guemappe for training and working parties until 17th September.

On 18th and 19th September the battalion marched via Arras to Y Huts and remained there for four days. On 24th September they marched to Montenescourt and Gouves. On 26th they entrained at Wanquetin for Quéant. On 29th September they were ordered to attack and capture St. Ollo on the Marcoing Line. When A and B Companies attacked they were caught in heavy enemy machine gun fire and practically wiped out. Two platoons of C and D Companies, however, succeeded in capturing the entire enemy trench system north-west of the village, taking 100 prisoners and capturing 15 machine guns. Casualties for the day numbered 250 killed and wounded and two missing.

On 1st October the battalion moved out of the line and by the 8th October was near Bourlon Wood. On 10th October they marched to Quéant where training took place until 20th and the men were able to attend several concerts. They then moved by bus to Raisnes and training in musketry and range work for Lewis guns took place.

On 26th October Leonard was appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major in the 116th Battalion and also granted two weeks leave. He rejoined the battalion east of Mons, near Nimy, on 16th November not long after the Armistice had been declared.

The battalion had begun educational training, was undergoing inspections and taking part in parades. The men attended concert parties and saw the play H.M.S. Pinafore in the theatre at Mons. The battalion also supplied a guard of honour of 3 Officers and 100 men for the triumphal entry of H.R.H. Albert, King of the Belgians into the historic town of Mons.

On 7th December the battalion began a series of moves, firstly to Louvières then via Ecaussinnes d’Enghien to Nivelles for Christmas. After Christmas they marched via Beersel, Neyghen, Lierde St. Martin, Renaix and Mourcourt, reaching Blandain on New Year’s Day 1919. January was devoted to training, concert parties and brigade sports.

From 4th-6th February the battalion entrained for Le Havre and on 12th February sailed for England reaching Weymouth on 13th. They then proceeded to Bramshott Camp and were all given eight days leave.

Leonard sailed for Canada from Southampton on the SS Olympic on 17th March 1919. He was discharged from the Canadian forces in Toronto on 28th March 1919. Leonard’s brother Edward also served in the war, becoming a Sergeant Major in the Mechanical Transport section of the Army Service Corps. Like Leonard he also survived the war.

Leonard and his wife Lily lived for the rest of their lives in Ontario. Leonard became a welder and then an assembler. They had three children Edward, Leonard Junior and Mary. In 1972 Leonard and Lily were living in Apartment 41, Lamoreaux Street, Hamilton, Ontario.

 

Sergeant 44466 Arthur William Panter  MM

 

196 Coy, Machine Gun Corps

Previously 3777, 1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment

The London Gazette. Supplement 30312. 25 September 1917. p. 10034.

Arthur William Panter was born in Uppingham, Rutland, on 9th August 1896 and baptised on 20th September 1896 at St. Nicholas’ Church, Stretton, Rutland. He was the son of Reuben Panter and his wife Emma (née May) who were married in 1894 in the South Stoneham area of Hampshire. Arthur had two brothers Reuben Junior and Francis and three sisters Ada, Edith and Phoebe.

When Arthur was born his father was a police constable at Uppingham but by 1901 he had become a horseman on a farm and in 1911 he was a domestic gardener. In 1901 the family lived at Clipsham, Rutland, and then moved to Stretton. In 1911 Arthur was in service and employed as a hall boy in the household of Mrs. Marion Gaskell of Hornton Grounds, Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Arthur enlisted at Oakham, Rutland, on 12th March 1915 and joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 3777. On 9th September 1915 he was promoted to Lance Sergeant.

On 3rd June 1916 Arthur married Sarah Ellen Ayres at All Saints Church, Loughborough. After the wedding Arthur returned to his battalion and his wife went to live at 17 Rendell Street, Loughborough.

On 25th July 1916, while at Scotton Camp, Catterick, Arthur re-enlisted with the Machine Gun Corps and was discharged from the 5th Leicesters. Given a new service number of 44466 he was sent to Grantham to train as a machine gunner. He was then posted to the newly formed 196 Coy of the Machine Gun Corps.

196 Coy left Grantham on 13th December 1916 and entrained for Southampton. On the following day they embarked on the SS Italian Prince. Delayed by fog they arrived at Le Havre on 16th December and proceeded to No. 1 Rest Camp.

On 19th December they marched to the Gare des Marchandaises and entrained for Rouen. From Rouen they travelled by train to Poperinghe where the men were billeted in the Gendarmerie and the officers in a convent.

From 3rd-13th January 1917 training took place, including practice in the line at Ypres. During the remainder of January and all February they were based at S Camp, Poperinghe, and sections took it in turn to go into the L Line defences at Elverdinghe. During March there were trench tours at Ypres Rampart and Elverdinghe and training courses at Poperinghe and Boesinghe. From 14th March-2nd April Arthur was sent on an Anti-Aircraft course run by a specialist battery of the 2nd Army after which he rejoined 196 Coy at Poperinghe.

At Poperinghe training continued with emphasis on night firing, map reading, rough ground exercises and defence scheme moves. Trench tours at Salvation Corner and Reigersburg Chateau alternated with training. On 19th April the guns were moved to Brandhoek and mounted at Wieltze and Railway Wood. On 26th April the company moved to Moulle tor instruction in trench attack, range firing, mechanism and box respirator drill and rapid advance guard action. On 6th and 7th May they marched via Nordpeene to Arneke and entrained for Poperinghe.

Back at Bedouin Camp, Brandhoek, the company prepared for a move of two sections to the Bollezeele training area, while the other two sections went into the line at Salvation Corner and Reigersburg Chateau. An inter-section relief then took place after two weeks.

On 6th June the whole company was concentrated in the camp prior to positions being taken up to support troops in an attack on the Wytschaete-Messines road. On 26th June Arthur was sent on a three-day course of instruction in gunnery and it may have been after this that he was promoted to Sergeant.

For most of July training continued at Brandhoek and Moringhem and D section completed two trench tours at Wieltje. By 30th July preparations were ready for the opening of the Passchendaele Offensive and 196 Coy was in the assembly trenches east of Ypres. The ground was in an indescribable condition with many shell holes and slimy mud. The action began on 31st July and 196 Coy suffered 45 casualties. Alfred was wounded but gallantly stayed at his post and was awarded the Military Medal.

196 Coy stayed at the front for two days and did some salvage work before travelling by lorry from Ypres Asylum to Poperinghe. On 6th August they transferred to Nordausques for light training and inspections. Arthur was granted leave to England from 11th-23rd August and he rejoined the company at Nordausques where training continued until 13th September.

On 14th September 196 Coy proceeded by train to Goldfish Chateau and marched to Warrington Camp, Vlamertinghe. On 19th they moved to St. Jean and set up barrage positions at Plum Farm and from 20th-23rd September took part in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge. On 25th September they moved to Watou and on the following day entrained at Proven for Ytres, travelling via Miramont and Bapaume.

From 29th September to 7th November Arthur attended Army School. When he rejoined 196 Coy they were in camp at Villers-Faucon. On 20th November 196 Coy took part in an attack on Cambrai and on 30th November in an attack on Villers-Guislan.

Arthur went missing on 30th November and it was not until two weeks later that he was reported to be a prisoner of war. He was transported to Dulmen Prisoner of War Camp in Westphalia where he remained until the end of the war. He was repatriated on Boxing Day 1918 and demobbed on 3rd March 1919 at Harroby Camp, Grantham, being transferred to Class Z Reserve.

Arthur’s only son, also called Arthur, was born in Stretton in late 1919. In 1939 Arthur and his wife and son were living at Chadfield’s Cottage, Manor Lodge Farm, Barrow on Soar, and Arthur was employed as a dairy farm manager. Arthur died in 1977 in Loughborough.

 

Private 115984 Henry George Partridge (Jack) MM

 

Lord Strathcona's Horse

Previously 10th Canadian Mounted Rifles

The London Gazette. Supplement 31338. 13 May 1919. p. 5053.

Henry George Partridge, known as ‘Jack’, was born on 18th June 1891 in Loughborough and baptised at All Saints Church, Loughborough, on 8th July 1891. He was the son of Franklin Partridge and his second wife Emily (née Onion) who were married on 24th April 1882 at All Saints Church, Loughborough.

Jack had two brothers Frederick and Alfred and four sisters Ethel, Edith, Hylda and Florence. He also had three step-brothers Franklin Junior, Albert and Ernest and one step-sister Lillian from his father’s first marriage to Emma Onion, who had been cousin to his own mother Emily, and who had died in 1880. Jack’s father was a hairdresser with premises at 13 Church Gate, but when Jack was born the family was living at Toothill Cottage, not over the salon. By 1901 they had moved to 64 Derby Road, Loughborough.

After Jack’s mother died in 1908 and his father in 1909 Jack’s sister Edith took Jack, Hylda, Alfred and Florence to live with her at 36 Howard Street, Loughborough. In 1910 Jack, aged 18, emigrated to Canada. He travelled on the SS Laurentian (White Star Line) from Liverpool and arrived in Quebec on 19th May 1910. In Loughborough he had worked for a greengrocer but in Canada he intended to be a farmer and he settled in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, west of Winnipeg.

Jack enlisted in Portage la Prairie on 20th March 1916 and joined the 10th Canadian Mounted Rifles as Private 115984. The battalion left Canada on 29th April 1916 on the SS Olympic and arrived in England on 10th May. They then proceeded to Somerset Barracks, Shorncliffe, Kent. While at Shorncliffe, in July 1916, Jack was promoted to Acting Corporal. On 6th March 1917 Jack was transferred to the Canadian Cavalry Reserve Depot, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). On 4th July 1917 Jack reverted to the rank of Private at his own request.

On 11th July 1917 Jack was sent to France and posted to the Royal Canadian regiment of Lord Strathcona’s Horse (LSH). He joined his new regiment on 20th August 1917 at Gauchin-Verloingt, Pas de Calais. LSH continued training there until 5th October. On 6th and 7th October they marched via Thiennes to J Camp, in the Watou area west of Poperinghe where training continued and patrols were carried out until 15th October. Between 16th and 18th October they marched to Marenla where there was further training until 8th November. Between 9th and 13th November they marched via Autheux, Beaucourt and Montigny and Bray-sur-Somme to a camp at Boucly.

At Boucly preparations were made for a forthcoming operation and on 20th and 21st November they took part in the action on the first two days of the Battle of Cambrai. They then moved back to Cappy and then to Montecourt. On 23rd November they marched to Susanne and were again in action on 1st December at Chapel Crossing. After two days in Divisional reserve between Epehy and Heudicourt they provided working parties for the Royal Engineers at Roisel before returning to Montecourt on 16th December.

LSH remined at Montecourt for training and working parties until 25th January 1918. At the end of January they moved to the area of Cramont. During the first two weeks of February, while in Reserve, they exercised the horses and provided working parties and a covering party for a raid. On 16th February they moved to Vermand and some men looked after the horses while others provided a trench relief south of the River Omignon.

From 1st-8th March LSH was back in Cramont. On 9th March they began moving via St. Sauflieu and Davesnescourt to Ennemain. On 18th a working party made strongpoints near Estrées-en-Chaussée. On 21st March, the first day of the German Spring Offensive, they marched to Beaumont-en-Beine. On 22nd they were ordered to form a dismounted party at Villequier while the horses were taken back to Varesnes and then to Carlepont. On 27th LSH was reunited with the horses and marched to Arsy.

On 28th March LSH was ordered to cover Welles-Perennes from an attack and clear the enemy from the village of Fontaine. On 29th they marched to Guyencourt and on 30th were ordered to cross the River Avre and delay a German advance on Amiens. They crossed the river at Castel, proceeded to the northern edge of Moreuil and began to clear the enemy out of Moreuil Wood. Having cleared the wood they found they were facing two lines of machine guns and Lt. Gordon Flowerdew led what became known as ‘the last great cavalry charge’ in a successful engagement with entrenched German forces. Nearly three-quarters of the Canadian cavalry involved in the attack against German machine-gun positions were killed or wounded. Casualties in LSH numbered 507, including 350 horseholders.

After a day at the Bois de Senecat LSH was back in action at Rifle Wood and after some stiff hand-to-hand fighting had 82 further casualties.

In early April LSH moved to Camon to rest, refit and reorganise. On 11th April they began a five day march to Fontaine-les-Hermans for eight days training. Training continued at Predefin for a further nine days. Between 4th and 6th May they moved to a wood south-west of Montigny where they stayed until 23rd May providing night working parties on trench digging at Enecourt. Between 24th May and 21st June they were in training at St. Ouen.

On 22nd June they moved to the front line near Montigny for working parties and some training. On 5th July they moved to Bourdon and spent the time until 4th August on dismounted training, rifle range practice, gas respirator parades and baseball. On 5th August they began moving to Amiens and by 7th were at an assembly point north-east of Boves. The Battle of Amiens began on 8th August and the regiment suffered 74 casualties and lost 132 horses.

After the battle they proceeded to Bourdon for training and then to Ligny-sur-Conche where they remained until 9th September. Jack was granted leave from 23rd August to 8th September and may have visited his family in Loughborough.

The regiment then began a lengthy move to Caulincourt before beginning a period in reserve at the beginning of October. On 9th October they took part in an operation at Nauroy, after which they marched over several days to Ytres for training until 5th November. On 11th October Jack was promoted to Lance Corporal. In late October the regiment was hit by an outbreak of influenza.

They were in Tourpes, Belgium, when the Armistice was declared and began preparing to march over the German frontier. By 24th November they had reached Aische-en-Refail in the Province of Namur where they were able to attend shows in the concert hall, go on a trip to Waterloo to see the battlefield and take part in a mounted paperchase. On 16th December they reached Fraineux where dances were held in the chateau on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 1919.

On 13th February 1919 Jack was taken to No. 50 Casualty Clearing Station in Valencienne with influenza and by 17th February was seriously ill with broncho-pneumonia. His sister Edith was informed that he was on the danger list. He was then taken to No. 32 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux. By 4th March he was off the danger list and brought to Clandon Park, a stately home being used as a military hospital near Guildford, Surrey. On 25th March he was sent to a military convalescent home at Woodcote Park, Epsom, from where he was finally discharged on 16th April 1919.

On 14th May 1919 Jack was awarded the Military Medal. He was discharged from the Army on 3rd July 1919 and returned to Canada. On 3rd February 1923 he married Ida Smith (who had originally come from Forfar, Scotland) in Portland, Oregon. Jack and Ida took American citizenship and settled in Portland for the rest of their lives. Jack became a chauffeur but there were no children of the marriage. Jack died, aged 83, on 13th October 1974 and is buried in River View Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, cor.14, Crypt 545.

Private 40671 Herbert Pickering MM

 

1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment

The London Gazette. Supplement 30768. 25 June 1918. p. 7595.

Herbert Pickering was born on 15th March 1891 in Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, and baptised on 1st November 1891 at Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough. He was the son of George Henry Main Pickering and his wife Mary Elizabeth (née Wainwright) who were married at St. Paul’s Church, Woodhouse Eaves, on Christmas Day 1889.

Herbert’s father was a framework knitter. Herbert had two brothers Henry and Silas and three sisters Mabel, Violetta and Flora. Mabel, however, died aged 18 in 1910. When Herbert was born the family was living at 2 Salisbury Street, Loughborough. After Herbert’s father died in late 1900 or early 1901 the family moved to 78 Warner Place. By 1911 the family had moved to No. 26 in the same street and Herbert’s mother was employed as a caretaker at a branch of the Inland Revenue. In 1911 Herbert, aged 20, was a housepainter.

Herbert seems to have enlisted in early 1916 but the exact date is unknown as his service papers have not survived. After initial training he joined the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 40671 but the date when he joined them in Flanders or France is also unknown.

Between January and July 1916 the 1st Leicesters were on the Ypres Salient. On 1st August 1916 they left the trenches at Potizje and entrained at Proven for France. They reached billets at Lealvillers, Somme, on 4th August and on the following day marched to camp in Mailly-Maillet Wood. A period of training and working parties followed. On 14th August they went into the trenches opposite Beaumont-Hamel, where they remained until 19th when they returned to the Mailly Wood camp. On 27th August they left for Flesselles. Here additional training took place. On 8th September they occupied former German trenches in the area of Trônes Wood on the northern slope of the Montaubon Ridge while in the following days the build-up for a major battle, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, took place. The battle began on 15th September and lasted seven days and the battalion incurred grievous losses. The battalion was also in action in the Battle of Morval (25th-28th September). During part of the Battle of Le Transloy (1st October-5th November 1916) the 1st Leicesters were employed carrying up stores and providing stretcher and other parties for the front line troops.

By 21st October the battalion was back in billets at Corbie where it entrained three days later for Sorel before moving over several days to Fouquières-les-Béthune in the La Bassée sector.

Most of November was spent in training with one brief trench tour and December in the trenches at Cuinchy, with breaks at Beuvry and Christmas Day at Noeux-les-Mines.

January 1917 was spent in turns in the trenches and at rest in Mazingarbe. From 1st to 21st February many raids on the enemy were carried out after which the battalion marched via Sailly-Labourse to the Montmorency Barracks at Béthune.

In March and April the battalion did trench tours on the front line north of the Double Crassier, Loos, before being withdrawn to billets at Maroc on 22nd April. May brought more trench tours in the front line at Loos, with breaks in billets at Les Brebis or Philosophe.

In June the battalion was instructed, while in training at Verquin, to mount a series of small operations to give the enemy the impression that an attack was about to take place. In July Canadian forces took over in the area to attack Hill 70 and the battalion was withdrawn to the area of Monchy-Breton, proceeding by lorries to Magnicourt-en-Comté. After being briefly ordered to assist at the time of the gas shelling of Armentières, a brief period at Fleurbaix, and time in the reserve line at La Boutillerie the battalion returned to Magnicourt on August 5th. At the end of August the Division returned to the Hill 70 front and went into reserve at a camp in Houchin.

In September there were front and support line trench tours at Hill 70, Les Brebis and Cité St. Pierre. At the end of September the battalion was in south Maroc and early in October at Noeux les Mines before going into the trenches in the St. Emile sector. From Mazingarbe on 21st October the battalion moved to Ligny-lèz-Aire and then to Manin for training until 14th November. On 15th November the battalion entrained at Frevent for Péronne and marched to Moislains. After a couple of days under canvas at Dessart Wood the battalion moved forward to the front line at Beaucamp and on 20th November, the first day of the Battle of Cambrai, successfully attacked part of the Hindenburg Line. The battalion was relieved on 26th November and moved to another section of the front line near Noyelles where they suffered heavy enemy bombardment and shelling but nevertheless helped to achieve an advance to Gouzeaucourt.

On 1st December the battalion was at Nine Wood and was heavily shelled before being relieved and moving to new positions on the Premy-Flesquières Ridge. On 5th December the battalion moved again to positions in the front line on the Hindenburg support system where they remained until 13th December. From 14th December until the end of the year the battalion was at Bellacourt undergoing training.

In the early part of January 1918 the battalion was at Courcelles but on 18th went into the trenches on the Moeuvres front. Rest periods were taken at Luck and Lindop Camps near Frémicourt. On February 19th and 20th the battalion moved to the Lagnicourt area, where, when out of the line, they provided large working parties for work on the defences.

There were now strong rumours that the enemy was preparing a large offensive and great efforts were made to obtain information through patrols and raids. On 15th March the front line company of the battalion managed to capture a propaganda balloon laden with ten copies of the Gazette des Ardennes, a paper published in French by the Germans for distribution among the inhabitants of occupied territory. On 17th March the battalion had gone back into Brigade Reserve.

On 21st March 1918 the enemy launched their Spring Offensive. When the order to 'Stand To' in battle positions early on 21st March came through to the1st Leicesters some of the men could not immediately be reached as they were detached on work elsewhere.

The battalion nevertheless put up a determined defence. By the evening of 21st March, however, C Company had only 1 Officer and 37 Other Ranks left. On 22nd March the enemy put down a very heavy barrage and increased pressure all along the line. When the Germans advanced rapidly between the Lagnicourt to Maricourt Wood road and Vaulx Wood both C and D Companies of the battalion were practically destroyed.

The battalion was then withdrawn to Berkeley Camp, Bihucourt, and then to Puisieux-au-Mont where, on 24th March, they entrained for Doullens. After a night at J Camp the battalion entrained for Proven. On 27th March the battalion moved to Winnizeele where reorganisation and training took place until 1st April.

On 2nd April the battalion travelled via Ypres Asylum to Belgian Chateau Camp and on the next day proceeded into the front line in the Reutel sub-sector. This area was chiefly duckboard tracks, water, shell-holes and mud and much work was done on the trenches. On 11th April the battalion entrained for a camp at Belgian Battery Corner where they remained for two days. On 13th April the battalion moved, partly by bus, to Dranoutre and into the front line.

After being heavily shelled for two days the battalion was withdrawn to a support position in a valley on the west side of Mount Kemmel. On 19th they moved into the front line for two days before being relieved and moving via Westoutre to Vancouver Camp, Vlamertinghe. Here they provided working parties. On 27th April the battalion moved to a new position at Kemmel from where the enemy was heavily defeated on the following day.

On 1st-11th May the battalion was in Divisional reserve at Vlamertinghe for work on the Switch line. From 12th-16th May they were at Belgian Chateau carrying wire and stakes to the front line, but during this time a lot of the men were falling sick. The remainder of the month was spent in the support and front lines at Chateau Ségard near Vormezeele and suffered a heavy bombardment of enemy gas shells

On 18th May the battalion was sent to the front and support lines in the Chateau Ségard sector, near Voormezeele. During this trench tour they experienced enemy gas shelling and heavy artillery fire at night. On 26th May they moved to the Ravine in Brigade support and on the following day the enemy began a heavy bombardment, including gas shells, of the support lines and back areas.

From 30th May - 6th June the battalion was back in the front and support lines at Chateau Ségard. The enemy restarted shelling, including ordinary gas shells as well as those containing sneezing gas. Hostile aeroplanes were also very active. The battalion was relieved on 6th June, their relief being hampered by another hostile gas shelling attack, and moved to Dirty Bucket Camp, about two miles north-west of Vlamertinghe. Here, after inspections and cleaning up, the battalion provided working parties for the Vlamertinghe, Brandhoek and Poperinghe lines and also attended Lewis gun classes.

On 13th June 120 men became sick with influenza and on the following day 60 men were sent to hospital. The battalion was moved to School Camp near Poperinghe for further training and cases of flu continued to appear. The sickness is likely to have been the so-called 'Spanish flu', the first cases of which appeared in Belgium around this time.

On 20th June the battalion entrained at Proven for St. Omer and marched to Musketry Camp, Cornette. Here the men had four days' practice in rapid loading, trigger pressing and field firing. On 25th June the battalion entrained at St. Omer for Mendighem and marched to Rainsford Camp near Watou where training continued. Additional training took place in the Hagebaert area near Poperinghe until 5th July.

In June 1918 Herbert was awarded the Military Medal.

On 6th July the battalion went into the trenches in the front line of the Dickebusch Lake sector. The trenches here were in a very bad condition and owing to the proximity of Mount Kemmel all movements were easily observed by the enemy. All available men were used carrying materials to the front line, often amid enemy action. A trench tour on the Vyverbeek line followed. On 25th July the battalion withdrew to positions in the right sector of Westoutre and worked at night on cable burying.

From 3rd August the battalion was in support in the Dickebusch Lake sector, and from 6th-16th August held the front line. After being relieved they moved to Brigade reserve in the Dickebusch sector and were employed in working parties until 22nd August. On 23rd August the battalion entrained at Wellington Junction near Ouderdom, travelled by light railway to Winnezeele, changed trains for St. Momelin, and marched from there to Tilques. Training began on 26th and included practice in marshalling and escorting prisoners. On 29th August the battalion marched to Mentque for sports.

From Mentque on 1st September the battalion entrained at St. Omer for Corbie and marched to Franvillers. From 3rd-10th September there was training in attack technique and open warfare. On 11th they moved to Daours and three days later to Monchy-Lagache by bus.

Preparations were now made for an attack. On 17th September the battalion moved to the concentration area in Jean Devaux Wood where they were shelled twice and then through heavy rain, dense mist and shelling to Holnon Wood. During the concentration of troops on 18th September preparatory to an attack 50 casualties were sustained.

The attack near Holnon began on 19th September, continued in stages until 24th September, and was very successful. After the attack the battalion went into reserve in the Fresnoy sector. On 29th September the battalion moved to the Bouvincourt- Vraignes area and on 4th October proceeded by bus and route march to Magny-la-Fosse. An attack was now planned on the Méricourt Ridge and this took place between 9th and 11th October amid very heavy enemy machine gun fire. The battalion was then relieved and had two days rest in huts north of Bohain. Back at the front between 14th and 17th October they were still unable to dislodge the enemy from the ridge. On 23rd another attack was made and the enemy began to retire across the Sambre Canal. The allies then crossed the canal and the battalion was able to rest at St. Souplet and Fresnoy-le-Grand. The battalion was in Bohain when the Armistice was declared. Between 14th November and 15th December the battalion moved through Belgium into Germany. Demobilisation began at Wesseling, near Cologne, on 29th December 1918.

Herbert returned to Loughborough and resumed house painting. In the summer of 1922 he married Constance Helen Gibson in Loughborough. In 1932 Herbert’s mother married Thomas Lester in Loughborough.

In 1939 Herbert and Constance were living at 269 Beacon Road, Loughborough, with their only child Doreen and Constance’s elderly parents Herbert and Helen Gibson. Herbert and Constance later moved to 218 Alan Moss Road.

Herbert died on 7th July 1959, aged 68, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

 

Sergeant 240065 James William Putt MM

 

1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously 1251

The Edinburgh Gazette. Issue 13128. 20 August 1917. p. 1717.


James William Putt was born on 11th November 1887 at Ormesby St. Margaret, Norfolk, and baptised on 16th May 1888 at Ormesby St. Margaret Church. He was the son of Joseph Putt and Harriett (née Tippell or Tipple) who were married at St. Margaret’s Church, Drayton, Norfolk, on 23rd January 1883.

James had three brothers Joseph, George and John and three sisters Alice, Harriet and Gertrude. Alice, however, died in 1917 aged 25. In 1891 the family was living at 8 King’s Head Terrace, Great Witchingham, Norfolk, and James’s father was employed as a railway porter. By 1901 they had moved to 29 Rosebery Street, Loughborough, and James’s father was a bricklayer’s labourer while James, aged 13, was living with his grandmother Mary Harding in Cow Lane, Rempstone, Nottinghamshire, and was working in a market garden.

James’s mother died in 1905, aged 45, and in 1906 James’s father married Mary Taylor in Loughborough. His father then moved with his new wife, his own children except James, and his wife’s daughter Lillian to 127 Leopold Street. In 1911 James was working for a horticultural builders and lodging with Charlotte Walker and family at 127 Station Street, Loughborough.

The date when James enlisted is unknown as his service papers have not survived but he joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 1251 (later renumbered as 240065).

The 1/5th Battalion was mobilised in August 1914 and assembled on 13th August at Duffield. After a training period in Luton, Bishop's Stortford, Ware and Sawbridgeworth the battalion entrained at Harlow for Southampton on 25th February 1915. The battalion sailed for France on the SS Duchess of Argyll and the SS Atalanta on the following day in very rough seas.

After arriving in Le Havre on 27th February they travelled by train via Rouen, Abbeville and St. Omer to Arneke where they detrained for Hardifort. Between 5th and 9th March the battalion was in the trenches near Armentières. On 10th and 11th March the battalion, which had moved to Strazeele, was in training. The battalion then proceeded to Sailly-sur-la-Lys and was held in reserve for, but did not take part in, the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10th-13th March 1915). Training continued at Doulieu and Bailleul until 3rd April.

On 4th April the battalion went into the trenches near Wulverghem where they were subjected to shelling and continual sniping by the enemy. Relieved on 9th April they proceeded to Dranoutre. They returned to the trenches near Hill 60 on 13th April, and then moved on to Zillebeke, followed by a tour in the area of Mount Kemmel.

From June to September 1915 the battalion remained in the area of Zillebeeke and Ouderdom, before being ordered to proceed towards Loos in October. On 12th October 1915 the battalion travelled to the Hohenzollern Redoubt, arriving in Vermelles at 10.00pm. They spent the next eight hours in communication trenches. On 13th October 1915 during the attack on the Redoubt, part of the final stages of the Battle of Loos, the 1/5th Battalion was in reserve until just after midday, when they 'went over the top' and came under intense machine gun fire. After the battle the battalion was reorganised at La Couture, Merville and Thuenne.

January 1916 was taken up with a potential move of the 1/5th Leicesters to Egypt which was aborted at Marseilles, the battalion being returned to Candas, and the area of Vimy Ridge. In mid-February 1916 the 1/5th Battalion took over the line north of the River Ancre opposite Beaumont-Hamel in France. On 29th February the battalion moved to the area of Doullens where the men worked on improving the trenches despite being subjected to a considerable bombardment from the enemy with mines and craters being blown.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge, Pas de Calais, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers and then to billets in Luchaux for bayonet training. This was followed by a period at Souastre digging cable trenches and constructing bomb stores and gun pits in preparation for a 'big push'.

On 4th June 1916 the battalion was moved up to trenches near Gommecourt. This was followed by further training at Warlincourt. On 30th June the battalion assembled in a trench near Foncquevillers Church ready for the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the first day of the Somme Offensive planned for 1st July. In the attack at Gommecourt the 46th Division of the Army, of which the 1/5th Leicesters were part, suffered 2445 casualties.

On 7th July the battalion relieved the 4th Lincolnshires in the trenches opposite Essarts-lès-Bucquoy. The battalion remained in the area of Monchy-au-Bois until 29th October, either in the trenches or resting at Bienvillers or Pommier. The battalion's next move was to Millencourt for intensive battle training, returning to Halloy and then Souastre at the beginning of December.

The battalion remained at Souastre until 11th March 1917 and then moved once more up to the line taking over 2,600 yards of frontage from the La Brayelle road to the Hannescamps-Monchy road. On 17th March they moved into Gommecourt for road mending before moving to Bertrancourt, Raincheval and then Rainvillers not far from Amiens.

On 28th March the battalion marched to Saleux, entrained for Lillers in the north, and marched to Laires. Training took place until 13th April and continued for three further days at Manqueville, after which the battalion moved to the western outskirts of Lens. From there they marched to Bully-Grenay and went into the front line trenches where they were heavily shelled. On 29th April the battalion went into rest billets in cellars at Cité St. Pierre until 3rd May when they went into support trenches. On 8th they went into billets at Fosse 10 near Petit Sains for training and on 12th into reserve at Angres. Further trench tours south-west of Lens followed until 26th May when the battalion went into billets at Marqueffles Farm for training in bayonet fighting and bombardment and to practise methods of attack. On 6th June the battalion was back in the line and on 8th June went into the attack, suffering 96 casualties. James, now a Sergeant, is mentioned in J. D. Hills’ account of the 5th Leicesters, as follows: ‘A Company, carrying ammunition, had also had their casualties, and 2nd Lieut. Broughton, after being hit more than once, eventually had to leave them. He had been personally organizing most of the parties, and during the battle was everywhere, quite regardless of danger. Consequently, when he went, A Company became scattered; parties which had delivered their ammunition did not know where to go; and some of them, a few under Serjeant Putt and Pte. Dakin, wandered into the slag-heap and took part in the battle, helping to kill some of the Boche there’.

Apart from two breaks at Red Mill from 9th-13th and 18th-20th June the battalion was in the trenches until 22nd June. On 21st June C Coy was accidentally gassed by the Royal Engineers, resulting in 94 casualties of whom 22 died. Back at Marqueffles Farm from 22nd the battalion had Lewis gun and signalling classes as well as attack training over a flagged course. On 27th June the battalion moved up to the line ready to attack on the following day. As they climbed out of the trenches on 28th June they met with the inevitable machine gun fire and over the next two days 60 Ordinary Ranks were killed.

Relieved from the trenches at Liévin on 3rd July the battalion moved to Monchy-Breton for reorganisation and training until 22nd July when they moved to Vaudricourt before going into the line at Hulluch until 28th July. After respite at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was at Fouquières until 14th August, practising for an attack. Moving to Noyelles the battalion went into the trenches on 15th August and carried out a raid on the German trenches at Hulluch on the night of the 16th/17th August. After a break at Noyelles for training the battalion returned to the trenches. The end of August was spent at Philosophe, providing carrying parties.

In August 1917 James was awarded the Military Medal.

During September, October and early November 1917 the battalion completed six trench tours at St. Elie, with breaks at Fouquières and Philosophe. During one tour the battalion was visited by a Mr. Wilkes of the Leicester Mail, 'attired in a grey suit, steel helmet and box respirator'. On 14th November the battalion moved to Mazingarbe for a trench tour in the Hill 70 sector. November ended with the battalion billeted at Verquin, Vaudricourt and Drouvin for training and a battle rehearsal.

Three more trench tours took place in December, this time in the Cambrin right sector where there were some very heavy bombardments and gas attacks by the enemy.

New Year's Day 1918 was marked by another heavy bombardment on the battalion's trenches near Hulluch. During early January when away from the front line the battalion also provided wire carrying parties and working parties. On 20th January the battalion began a four-day transfer by march to Chocques. Between 24th January and 28th February the battalion was in training at Chocques, Allouagne, Fiefs, and Reclinghem.

Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.

On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling.

On 5th April James was wounded and taken to hospital. How long he spent there and whether he was able to rejoin the 1/5th Leicesters is unknown.

James’s brother John who served with the Royal Field Artillery was killed on the Somme on 29th April 1918. His brother George joined the Leicestershire Regiment in 1921.

In 1939 James was working as a hot water fitter. In 1951 he married Gertrude Antill (née Walker) in Loughborough and they lived at 127 Station Street where James had once lodged with Gertrude’s mother and family.

Gertrude, however, died three years later. James died on 8th November 1963 in Loughborough, aged 76.

Corporal 241251 Francis Philip Pymm MM

 

1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously 3551

The Edinburgh Gazette. Issue 13163. 5 November 1917. p. 2312.



Francis Philip Pymm (or Pym) was born in Loughborough on 2nd April 1893. He was the son of Francis Pym (or Pymm) and his wife Hannah (née Orridge) who were married on Christmas Eve 1889 at Basford Register Office, Nottinghamshire. Francis Philip was one of fourteen children born to Francis Pymm Senior and Hannah, but only five of the children survived to adulthood: Francis Philip, Walter, Horace, Hester and Edith.

Francis Philip’s father was a hosiery trimmer employed by Messrs. Clark’s Dyeworks and the family lived at 55 Wood Gate, Loughborough. When Francis Philip left school he was also employed at the dyeworks as a hosiery trimmer.

When war broke out Francis Philip’s father, who was a reservist, having served with the 4th Battalion of the Derbyshire Regiment, reenlisted with the Leicestershire Regiment. Francis Philip also enlisted but the date of his enlistment is unknown as his service papers have not survived. Francis Philip joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 3551 (later renumbered as 241251).

The 1/5th Battalion was mobilised in August 1914 and assembled on 13th August at Duffield. After a training period in Luton, Bishop's Stortford, Ware and Sawbridgeworth the battalion entrained at Harlow for Southampton on 25th February 1915. The battalion sailed for France on the SS Duchess of Argyll and the SS Atalanta on the following day in very rough seas.

After arriving in Le Havre on 27th February they travelled by train via Rouen, Abbeville and St. Omer to Arneke where they detrained for Hardifort. Between 5th and 9th March the battalion was in the trenches near Armentières. On 10th and 11th March the battalion, which had moved to Strazeele, was in training. The battalion then proceeded to Sailly-sur-la-Lys and was held in reserve for, but did not take part in, the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10th-13th March 1915). Training continued at Doulieu and Bailleul until 3rd April.

On 4th April the battalion went into the trenches near Wulverghem where they were subjected to shelling and continual sniping by the enemy. Relieved on 9th April they proceeded to Dranoutre. They returned to the trenches near Hill 60 on 13th April, and then moved on to Zillebeke, followed by a tour in the area of Mount Kemmel.

From June to September 1915 the battalion remained in the area of Zillebeeke and Ouderdom, before being ordered to proceed towards Loos in October. On 12th October 1915 the battalion travelled to the Hohenzollern Redoubt, arriving in Vermelles at 10.00pm. They spent the next eight hours in communication trenches. On 13th October 1915 during the attack on the Redoubt, part of the final stages of the Battle of Loos, the 1/5th Battalion was in reserve until just after midday, when they 'went over the top' and came under intense machine gun fire. After the battle the battalion was reorganised at La Couture, Merville and Thuenne.

January 1916 was taken up with a potential move of the 1/5th Leicesters to Egypt which was aborted at Marseilles, the battalion being returned to Candas, and the area of Vimy Ridge. In mid-February 1916 the 1/5th Battalion took over the line north of the River Ancre opposite Beaumont-Hamel in France. On 29th February the battalion moved to the area of Doullens where the men worked on improving the trenches despite being subjected to a considerable bombardment from the enemy with mines and craters being blown.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge, Pas de Calais, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers and then to billets in Luchaux for bayonet training. This was followed by a period at Souastre digging cable trenches and constructing bomb stores and gun pits in preparation for a 'big push'.

On 4th June 1916 the battalion was moved up to trenches near Gommecourt. This was followed by further training at Warlincourt. On 30th June the battalion assembled in a trench near Foncquevillers Church ready for the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the first day of the Somme Offensive planned for 1st July. In the attack at Gommecourt the 46th Division of the Army, of which the 1/5th Leicesters were part, suffered 2445 casualties.

On 7th July the battalion relieved the 4th Lincolnshires in the trenches opposite Essarts-lès-Bucquoy. The battalion remained in the area of Monchy-au-Bois until 29th October, either in the trenches or resting at Bienvillers or Pommier. The battalion's next move was to Millencourt for intensive battle training, returning to Halloy and then Souastre at the beginning of December.

The battalion remained at Souastre until 11th March 1917 and then moved once more up to the line taking over 2,600 yards of frontage from the La Brayelle road to the Hannescamps-Monchy road. On 17th March they moved into Gommecourt for road mending before moving to Bertrancourt, Raincheval and then Rainvillers not far from Amiens.

On 28th March the battalion marched to Saleux, entrained for Lillers in the north, and marched to Laires. Training took place until 13th April and continued for three further days at Manqueville, after which the battalion moved to the western outskirts of Lens. From there they marched to Bully-Grenay and went into the front line trenches where they were heavily shelled. On 29th April the battalion went into rest billets in cellars at Cité St. Pierre until 3rd May when they went into support trenches. On 8th they went into billets at Fosse 10 near Petit Sains for training and on 12th into reserve at Angres. Further trench tours south-west of Lens followed until 26th May when the battalion went into billets at Marqueffles Farm for training in bayonet fighting and bombardment and to practise methods of attack. On 6th June the battalion was back in the line and on 8th June went into the attack, suffering 96 casualties.

Apart from two breaks at Red Mill from 9th-13th and 18th-20th June the battalion was in the trenches until 22nd June. On 21st June C Coy was accidentally gassed by the Royal Engineers, resulting in 94 casualties of whom 22 died. Back at Marqueffles Farm from 22nd the battalion had Lewis gun and signalling classes as well as attack training over a flagged course. On 27th June the battalion moved up to the line ready to attack on the following day. As they climbed out of the trenches on 28th June they met with the inevitable machine gun fire and over the next two days 60 Ordinary Ranks were killed.

Relieved from the trenches at Liévin on 3rd July the battalion moved to Monchy-Breton for reorganisation and training until 22nd July when they moved to Vaudricourt before going into the line at Hulluch until 28th July. After respite at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was at Fouquières until 14th August, practising for an attack. Moving to Noyelles the battalion went into the trenches on 15th August and carried out a raid on the German trenches at Hulluch on the night of the 16th/17th August. After a break at Noyelles for training the battalion returned to the trenches.

Francis Philip, attached to a Trench Mortar Battery, showed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of 28/29thAugust, 1917, when the Trench Mortar Battery made a demonstration while a Brigade twice raided the enemy trenches. The official account stated: ‘The enemy opened a very heavy artillery and trench mortar fire on his trench mortar. His mortar was twice put out of action, but he immediately re-laid it, and continued firing it under intense shelling. During the second raid this mortar again came under very heavy fire, but remained in action the whole time’.

The end of August was spent at Philosophe, providing carrying parties. During September, October and early November 1917 the battalion completed six trench tours at St. Elie, with breaks at Fouquières and Philosophe. During one tour the battalion was visited by a Mr. Wilkes of the Leicester Mail, 'attired in a grey suit, steel helmet and box respirator'. On 14th November the battalion moved to Mazingarbe for a trench tour in the Hill 70 sector. November ended with the battalion billeted at Verquin, Vaudricourt and Drouvin for training and a battle rehearsal.

In November 1917 Francis Philip was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry the previous August. He had now been promoted to the rank of Corporal.

Three more trench tours took place in December, this time in the Cambrin right sector where there were some very heavy bombardments and gas attacks by the enemy.

New Year's Day 1918 was marked by another heavy bombardment on the battalion's trenches near Hulluch. During early January when away from the front line the battalion also provided wire carrying parties and working parties. On 20th January the battalion began a four-day transfer by march to Chocques. Between 24th January and 28th February the battalion was in training at Chocques, Allouagne, Fiefs, and Reclinghem.

Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.

On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling. On 10th April the battalion moved back into Hill 70 support, but the back areas were filled with gas and the men were sent to Coupigny Huts, Bracquemont.

Training began on 15th April but two days later 100 men became sick with what the medical specialists considered to be influenza. Sixty men were evacuated and a special rest station was set up. Those men who were well were moved to Hersin and another 100 evacuated. On 24th April the battalion moved to Bruay and went into Reserve at Fouquières on 25th, only to be shelled in their billets. As the battalion was marching to the trenches at Le Hamel on 28th April the enemy opened fire near Essars. Three men were killed and thirty-five wounded or gassed.

The battalion reached the trenches on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans. During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel. Breaks were taken at Vaudricourt Park Camp and in August there were four days of training at Hesdigneul. The men also enjoyed a concert party by The Whizz-Bangs at Verquin.

By 7th August there were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and at the beginning of September, when the battalion pushed forward to Richebourg, they found a number of notices pinned up which said: 'Dear Tommy, You are welcome to all we are leaving. When we stop we shall stop and stop you in a manner you won't appreciate. Fritz.' The day after the note was found the battalion front was severely bombarded by the enemy.

From 9th -11th September the battalion was in training at Gosnay sandpits and between Béthune and Verquin. On 12th September they entrained at Chocques for Ribemont-Méricourt. Between 14th and 18th September they continued training, at Sailly-le-Sec in field firing and using a compass at night, at Franvillers in a Brigade tactical scheme, and at Teutry in attack procedure.

After this they marched to the Brigade support position in a newly captured sector east of Le Verguier and prepared for an attack on Pontruet. On 24th September the battalion took part in this operation before returning to the trenches at le Verguier.

In late September Francis Philip must have been granted leave as he married Edith Anne Brookes at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, on 28th September 1918. When he rejoined his battalion is unknown.

The 1/5th Battalion, meanwhile, was preparing for action. A major operation was being planned in the area of the St. Quentin Canal. This began on 29th September with an attack on the Hindenburg Line. The battalion advanced to the canal in artillery formation. After crossing the canal they advanced and secured Magny-la-Fosse on 1st October. On 3rd October 1918 A and D Coys, ordered to attack Doon Hill, formed up on the Preselles to Sequehart road. The battalion held this position until withdrawn to Etricourt on the night of 4th October. Between 5th and 11th October the battalion pressed forward towards Mericourt and Regnicourt before resting in billets at Fresnoy le Grand.

Between 11th and 15th October the battalion was held in reserve at Vaux-Andigny. On 17th and 18th they into the line near Mennevret. For the rest of the month the battalion remained in Fresnoy-le-Grand, training, refitting, and playing games. The battalion left Fresnoy on 1st November and marched to Becquigny in preparation for an attack on the German positions on the Sambre-Oise Canal on 4th November. In the attack the battalion succeeded in occupying positions near Bois l’Abbaye. Over the next few days the Germans continued to retreat and the battalion reached Zorees and then Sains.

After the Armistice the battalion moved to Bousies, in the Landrecies area. In January 1919 they moved to Pommereuil and demobilisation began. Francis Philip was demobbed on 10th March 1919.

Francis Philip’s father was not sent abroad during the war. He became a Sergeant Cook for No. 1 Cadet Company OTC in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, before being transferred to the Labour Corps. He was discharged on 15th February 1918 as being no longer physically fit.

In 1939 Francis Philip was a hosiery hand specialising in machine brushing. He and his wife were living with their only daughter Doreen at 8 Gregory Street, Loughborough. Francis Philip died from cerebral thrombosis and arteriosclerosis in Loughborough on 12th April 1957, aged 64. He was buried in Loughborough Cemetery Grave 21, Compartment 449.

Private 32674 John Ratcliffe (Jack) MM

 

2nd Bn, Hampshire Regiment

Previously 27054 3rd Bn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

The London Gazette. Supplement 30340. 16 October 1917. p. 10726.

John Ratcliffe, known to his family and friends and recorded on some official documents as ‘Jack’, was born in Loughborough on 1st August 1890. He was the son of John Ratcliffe and his first wife Kate (née Bates) who were married on 18th July 1886 at All Saints Church, Loughborough.

Jack had one brother George and fwo sisters Lizzie and Clara. Jack’s father was a grocer and in 1891 the family was living at 31 Church Gate, Loughborough. By 1901 they had moved to 14A Swan Street. Jack’s mother died in 1906 and on 11th May 1909 his father married Amy Sudbury at All Saints Church, Loughborough. His father and Amy had two daughters Amy and Kathleen, half-sisters to Jack.

Jack was educated at Loughborough Grammar School and in 1911 he was working as an assistant in his father’s grocery. Between 1911 and 1915 Jack left home and took employment as a shop assistant at 382 High Street, Aldershot, Hampshire. He married Ethel Florence Ladyman at the Register Office, Farnham, Surrey, on 7th July 1915 and the young couple set up home at 4 Mayfield Villas, 2 King’s Road, Aldershot.

Jack attested at Aldershot on 9th December 1915 and was listed as Army Reserve. He was mobilised on 11th April 1916 and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry as Private 27054. He was sent to Freshwater in the Isle of Wight where the battalion was on duty with the Portsmouth Garrison. On 10th November 1916 Jack was transferred to the 15th (Service) Battalion (2nd Portsmouth) of the Hampshire Regiment as Private 32674 and on 30th November 1916 to the 2nd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment.

The date when Jack joined the 2nd Battalion in France is unknown as parts of his service papers have deteriorated over time and are unreadable. On 11th December 1916 a draft of 78 Ordinary Ranks joined the battalion when it was about to move to Sandpits Camp, Somme, and it is possible that Jack was one of their number.

On 14th December the battalion marched to Edgehill, Dernancourt, and entrained for Hangest. On 15th they marched to Molliens-Vidame and two days later to Riencourt. The battalion remained at Riencourt for training until 10th January 1917. On 11th January they marched to Hangest and entrained for Corbie. Between 17th and 18th January they moved via Carnoy to Guillemont before going into the trenches. Relieved on 21st January the battalion returned to No. 3 Camp, Carnoy, before moving back to the trenches at Guillemont until 27th January. On 31st January they were once again in the trenches and stayed there until 4th February. After a two-day break they returned to the trenches for a further two days.

On 10th February the battalion went to Raineville for ten days of training, after which they marched to Corbie and then to No. 1 Camp, Bonnay. The remainder of February was taken up with trench tours at Mouchoir Copse and Fregicourt. March began with a trench tour at Sailly-Saillisel before a two-week break at Méaulte. On 19th March the battalion marched to Edgehill and entrained for Riencourt where they remained until nearly the end of the month.

On 30th March the battalion began a twelve-day march via Vignacourt, Beauvil, Mondicourt, Le Souich, and Humbercourt to Gouy-en-Artois. After a demonstration of a new type of grenade called a ‘Newton Pippin’ the battalion continued via Arras to a position north of Monchy-les-Preux. In the days that followed the battalion took part in the 1st Battle of the Scarpe, part of the Arras Offensive, and suffered 280 casualties. Relieved on 22nd April they were taken by bus to Simencourt and then marched to Coigneux.

At the beginning of May the battalion returned to Arras and were in action on 11th May in a successful attack on the chemical works and Roeux cemetery. Trench tours followed, south of Arras and east of Feuchy Copse. On 30th May an attempt to advance towards Pelves failed and on 4th June the battalion left Arras by train for Candas and marched to Fieffes. Training took place at Fieffes until 26th June.

On 27th June the battalion marched to Doullens and entrained for Proven. On arrival they were immediately employed on trench work, burying cable and camouflaging trenches and tracks. On 6th July they went into the front line at Canal Bank. Relieved on 11th July they marched to two miles west of International Corner for training and tactical exercises. On 20th they moved back to Proven and five days later to Woesten. On 28th July they formed part of an advance by the Guards Division, after which they moved to Suez Camp east of Crombeck and then to Reinforcement Camp at Bollezeele.

On 6th August the battalion proceeded to De Wippe Cabaret in the Forest area and on the following day to Zommerbloom Cabaret. A trench tour in the support line east of the canal followed. On the night of 15th August the battalion moved across very boggy ground (some men who fell into waterlogged shell holes had to be hauled out using ropes) to an assembly point northeast of Pilckem and on 16th August the Battle of Langemarck began. The battalion advanced behind an accurate creeping barrage and secured their two principal objectives but the cost was high with 218 casualties.

Relieved on 17th August the battalion had two days rest at Bluet Farm Camp before returning to the line. The Corps commander, Lord Cavan, warmly congratulated the Hampshires for their achievement when he inspected them on 19th August. On 25th August the battalion was pulled out of the line to Paddington Camp near Proven to begin nearly a month’s respite from the fighting and training. Jack was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery at Langemarck. In a letter home Jack wrote: ‘No doubt you will all be pleased to hear I have been awarded the Military Medal for services rendered on 16th- 18th August, when we were engaged and took all before us. When on church parade this morning, the C.O. read out a list of six men who had been awarded decorations, including my own’.

On 16th September the battalion went by bus to Cambridge Camp, east of Elverdinghe, for work in the forward area. After a short break at Paddington Camp they returned to the Elverdinghe area. On 25th September they went into the front line where they were heavily shelled by the enemy. After a week in Rugby, Dublin and Parroy Camps they moved to the assembly position on 8th October.

The Battle of Poelcappelle which opened on 9th October 1917 was dogged by bad weather and supply problems. The attack saw 2nd Hampshires involved in heavy fighting north of Langemarck. The battalion, together with the 4th Worcestershires, successfully secured the Namur Crossing and then their second objective before being held up in front of the third. After dark the Hampshires relieved the Newfoundland Regiment in what was now the front line astride the Poelcappelle-Les Cinq Chemins road. Despite the wet ground, the battalion worked to consolidate the line the next day.

The Hampshires were relieved on the night of 10/11th October, bringing to an end their active involvement in the Third Ypres campaign. On 11th October the battalion entrained for Sutton Camp east of Proven. On 16th October they marched to Peselhoek, entrained for Saulty and marched to Bienvillers. Training took place at Bienvillers until 16th November.

Between 17th and 18th November the battalion marched via Moislains to Sorel le Grand and on 20th November marched to the assembly area. The Battle of Cambrai then began. The battalion, part of the 29th Division, advanced and met with little opposition except for a little sniping and machine gun fire. Marcoing and Masnières were captured on the first day of the battle. On the 30th November and the 1st December, Masnières was held by the 29th Division against repeated attacks, but it was evacuated, under orders, on the night of the 1st-2nd December and Marcoing was left a few days later. In the course of the battle the battalion suffered 123 casualties.

On 5th December the battalion marched via Ribecourt to Etricourt, entrained for Mondicourt and marched to Sus St. Leger. Training took place there until 17th December. Between 18th and 21st December the battalion marched via Fillièvres and Fruges to Quillan where training continued until 2nd January 1918 and subsequently at Acquin until 16th January.

On 17th January the battalion marched to Wizernes, entrained for Brandhoek and marched into the Passchendaele sector. There the battalion was split between California Camp, Capricorn Camp and Brake Camp. On 19th January some men moved to English Camp to do wiring work on the Reserve line and on the following day the rest of the battalion joined them there in Divisional reserve. From 26th January the battalion was in the front line and on the Goudberg and Bellevue defences, most returning to California Camp on 1st February.

On 3rd February the battalion marched to Wieltje Siding, entrained for Brandhoek and marched to B Camp. After inspections and training until 10th February the battalion entrained at Brandhoek for Godwaersveldt and marched to Winnezeele for Brigade ceremonial practice. From 19th-26th February the battalion was based in Poperinghe, some men training while others did work at Wieltje.

March began with training and recreational sports at Steenvoorde. On 6th March the battalion marched to Godwaersveldt, entrained for St. Jean and marched to Irish Camp. On 7th March they took over the line immediately north of Passchendaele where there was a good deal of shelling and machine gun activity by the enemy. On 11th March the enemy attempted an advance but were repelled.

Two days later the enemy opened a gas shell bombardment. One shell penetrated the earthworks around a pillbox which was being used by the 2nd Hampshires as their HQ, wounding the sentry. He crawled into the HQ and the liquid gas on his clothes contaminated the whole HQ Staff. Forty-two people in the HQ were incapacitated by the mustard gas. It seems likely that it was on this occasion that Jack was severely gassed.

Jack was brought back to England and after recovering posted on 24th March 1918 to the Regimental Depot in Winchester. On 10th July 1918 he was then posted to the Command Depot at Perham Down on the northern edge of the Salisbury Plain. On 26th November 1918, after the Armistice, Jack was sent back to France, having been posted to D.I.B.D. (D Infantry Base Depot) at Rouen. He returned to the Depot in Winchester on 26th February 1919.

Jack was demobbed on 24th September 1919. He returned to his wife and young son Jack Junior (born in 1917) and not long afterwards the family moved to Dorchester, Dorset, where their two daughters Ethel and Hilda were born. Jack stayed in the grocery trade and in 1936 was employed by Messrs. Lipton Ltd. at their Sherborne store. In 1939 Jack and his wife were living at 20 King’s Crescent, Sherborne. Jack died, aged 65, in Sturminster Newton area of Dorset, in 1955.

Jack’s brother George served with the Leicestershire Regiment in the war and also survived.

Sergeant   17879 Herbert Robinson MM

12th Bn, Highland Light Infantry

The London Gazette. Supplement 30135.
15 June 1917. p. 6023.

 
Herbert Robinson was born in early 1884 in Aldershot, Hampshire, and baptised on 2nd March 1884 at the Royal Garrison Church of All Saints, Aldershot. He was the son of George Robinson and his wife Mary Martha (nèe Lovett) who were married at St. Paul’s Church, Sandgate, Kent, on 22nd November 1881. Herbert had three brothers Frank, Sidney and Walter and two sisters Emily and Annie.

Herbert’s father was originally a labourer but at the age of 21 he joined the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). He served with the regiment for twenty-five years in England, Ireland, Scotland, India and Malta.

When Herbert was three his father was transferred from Aldershot to a position on the permanent staff of the regiment in Glasgow and the family moved to the barracks in the city. He finally left the Army, having risen to the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant, on 31st May 1898. He then took employment as a gatekeeper at a steel works.

Herbert was admitted to Beckford Street School, Hamilton, on 14th September 1887 but then moved to St. James’s School, Glasgow, when the family moved to Claythorn Street, Glasgow. In 1893 they moved again to 635 Beckford Street and Herbert returned to the Beckford Street School. In 1898 the family lived at 10 Carleton Avenue, Garngadhill, Glasgow, and in 1901 at 73 Earlston Avenue. In 1901 Herbert, aged 17, was an apprentice engine fitter.

By 1911 Walter's mother had been widowed and she was living with her two youngest children Annie and Walter at 19 Cambridge Street, Loughborough, not far from relatives. (Mary Martha's father had been a coffee tavern keeper in Frog Island, Leicester.) When his mother moved south Herbert appears to have remained in Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

Herbert enlisted in late 1914 or early 1915. The precise date of his enlistment is unknown as his service papers have not survived. He joined the 12th (Service) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment). He was sent to Bordon and then Romsey, Hampshire. In April 1915 the battalion moved to Chisledon Camp on Salisbury Plain.

Herbert was sent to France on 2nd October 1915 as part of a draft of 46 men who joined the battalion at Lillers. During October they spent some time on routine work at Noeux-les-Mines followed by a trench tour near Vermelles. During November and early December they completed trench tours near St. Elie and the Hohenzollern Redoubt with breaks at Philosophe, Verquin and Vermelles. On 13th December they marched to Raimbert where they remained for range work and working parties until 12th January 1916.

The battalion then returned to the area of Noeux-les-Mines and between 13th January and the end of March completed six trench tours in the areas of Loos and Hulluch with breaks at Philosophe. On 27th March they returned to Raimbert for inspections, training, and practice in attacking. On 9th April they marched to Floringhem and remained there until 23rd April when they proceeded via Lillers and Noeux-les-Mines to Annequin and returned to the trenches in the Hohenzollern sector. Here they were subjected to an enemy gas attack.

During May and June the battalion provided working parties while based in Béthune and La Bourse and completed seven trench tours near Noyelles and Hulluch and at Hohenzollern. In July, after two trench tours and six days in Divisional reserve in Béthune the battalion marched over ten days from Marles-les-Mines to Flesselles. After a day’s practice in a new attack formation the battalion marched to the trenches south of Martinpuich where it was heavily shelled. Further trench tours followed at High Wood and Bazentin-le-Petit, with breaks near Fricourt and Albert.

Back in the trenches in September they were again heavily shelled and subjected to a gas shell attack. On 15th September, the opening day of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, they took part in the successful attack on Martinpuich. On 17th September they moved to trenches near Contalmaison before going briefly into Corps reserve. They spent from 19th September to the end of the month at La Houssoye where they practised attack procedure and provided working parties.

The first nine days of October were spent in Albert followed by four days in Lozenge Wood on attack and bombing practice. By 17th October they were in the front line at Le Sars on patrol and intelligence gathering and suffering 79 casualties. After a break at Contalmaison they returned to the trenches which now, following heavy rain, were in such a bad condition that work was almost impossible.

In November the battalion was at Millencourt, Baizieux, Naours and Warloy for inspections, training, working parties and night operations. Further training and working parties took place during the first two weeks of December from Becourt Camp. Six days were then spent working in the trenches at Martinpuich after which the battalion moved to Pioneer Camp and then Shelter Wood Camp.

After Christmas and over the New Year of 1917 the battalion returned to work in the Martinpuich trenches. Four further trench tours took place in January and the battalion also provided working parties on roads for the Royal Engineers. Training took place in February at Albert, Warloy and Izel-les-Hameau, followed by working parties for the New Zealand Tunnelling Company and a trench tour near Arras. In March further training took place at Mazières, followed by two trench tours and working parties near Arras.

On 9th April the battalion entered the 2nd Battle of Arras and over three days suffered 244 casualties. After resting at No. 3 Camp, Duisans, the battalion moved into the trenches north of Tilloy and between 23rd and 25th April took part in the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe, accruing a further 147 casualties. On 30th April Herbert was awarded the Military Medal.

On 30th July the battalion moved overnight to battle positions in St. James’s Trench and at the Cambridge and Potijze defences. Relieved on 2nd August they proceeded by bus to a camp at Winnezeele. On 16th August they entrained at Abeele for Goldfish Chateau before going into the trenches. After a break a second trench tour followed at the end of August. Between 30th July and the end of August there were 68 casualties.

Herbert’s brother Walter who served with the Leicestershire Regiment was killed in action in 1917.

CSM 9364 Herbert James Routledge DCM MM

 

9th Bn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

Previously 1st Bn.

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 31011. 15 November 1918. p. 13452.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30962. 18 October 1918. p. 12415.

             

DCM Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an advance. Under heavy fire he led his platoon straight on to the objective and although he was three times blown over by shell bursts and much shaken he continued to lead his platoon, and captured some machine gun posts. Next day he assisted materially in beating off a counter-attack on his battalion's position. Throughout he set a splendid example to his men.'







Click to see notes in Distinguished
       Conduct Medal section above.

Private 241293 John Thomas Ryder MM

1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously 3618

The London Gazette. Supplement 31338.
13 May 1919. p. 6026.

John Thomas Ryder was born in Loughborough on 1st November 1887 and baptised on 7th December 1887 at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. He was the son of Henry Ryder and his wife Sarah Ann (née Hawley) who were married on 20th March 1886 at All Saints Church, Loughborough. John had two brothers Thomas and Archibald and two sisters Mary and Annie, but his brother Archibald died aged two in 1902.

John’s father was a fitter’s labourer in a horticultural works. When John was born his parents lived in Mill Street, Loughborough, but by 1891 they had moved to 51 Ashby Square. In 1901 they were living at 3 Granville Street and in 1911 at No. 11 in the same street.

When John was thirteen he was a paper boy. He later became a joiner. On 22nd January 1910 he married Catherine Brewin at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. The young couple initially went to live with John’s parents at 11 Granville Street and by 1911 had a small daughter Sybil. By 1914 John, Catherine and their daughter had moved to 61 Meadow Lane.

John appears to have enlisted in late 1914 or early 1915 but his exact date of enlistment is unknown as his service papers have not survived. He joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 3618 (later renumbered as 241293) and was sent to France on 18th August 1915. He joined the 5th Leicesters at Ouderdom.

In September the battalion remained in the area of Ouderdom and Zillebeke, undertaking trench tours near Zillebeke Lake. In October they were ordered to proceed towards Loos. On 12th October 1915 the battalion travelled to the Hohenzollern Redoubt, arriving in Vermelles at 10.00pm. They spent the next eight hours in communication trenches. On 13th October 1915 during the attack on the Redoubt, part of the final stages of the Battle of Loos, the 1/5th Battalion was in reserve until just after midday, when they 'went over the top' and came under intense machine gun fire. John was wounded in the battle and brought back to England.

After he recovered John returned to France but his date of return is unknown. in late January 1916 the 1.5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge. Pas de Calais. In mid-February 1916 they took over the line north of the River Ancre opposite Beaumont-Hamel. On 29th February the battalion moved to the area of Doullens where the men worked on improving the trenches despite being subjected to a considerable bombardment from the enemy with mines and craters being blown.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were again in the area of Vimy Ridge, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers and then to billets in Luchaux for bayonet training. This was followed by a period at Souastre digging cable trenches, and constructing bomb stores and gun pits in preparation for a 'big push'.

On 4th June 1916 the battalion was moved up to trenches near Gommecourt. This was followed by further training at Warlincourt. On 30th June the battalion assembled in a trench near Foncquevillers Church ready for the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the first day of the Somme Offensive planned for 1st July. In the attack at Gommecourt the 46th Division of the Army, of which the 1/5th Leicesters were part, suffered 2445 casualties.

On 7th July the battalion relieved the 4th Lincolnshires in the trenches opposite Essarts-lès-Bucquoy. The battalion remained in the area of Monchy-au-Bois until 29th October, either in the trenches or resting at Bienvillers or Pommier. The battalion's next move was to Millencourt for intensive battle training, returning to Halloy and then Souastre at the beginning of December.

The battalion remained at Souastre until 11th March 1917 and then moved once more up to the line taking over 2,600 yards of frontage from the La Brayelle road to the Hannescamps-Monchy road. On 17th March they moved into Gommecourt for road mending before moving to Bertrancourt, Raincheval and then Rainvillers not far from Amiens.

On 28th March the battalion marched to Saleux, entrained for Lillers in the north, and marched to Laires. Training took place until 13th April and continued for three further days at Manqueville, after which the battalion moved to the western outskirts of Lens. From there they marched to Bully-Grenay and went into the front line trenches where they were heavily shelled. On 29th April the battalion went into rest billets in cellars at Cité St. Pierre until 3rd May when they went into support trenches. On 8th they went into billets at Fosse 10 near Petit Sains for training and on 12th into reserve at Angres. Further trench tours south-west of Lens followed until 26th May when the battalion went into billets at Marqueffles Farm for training in bayonet fighting and bombardment and to practise methods of attack. On 6th June the battalion was back in the line and on 8th June went into the attack, suffering 96 casualties.

Apart from two breaks at Red Mill from 9th-13th and 18th-20th June the battalion was in the trenches until 22nd June. On 21st June C Coy was accidentally gassed by the Royal Engineers, resulting in 94 casualties of whom 22 died. Back at Marqueffles Farm from 22nd the battalion had Lewis gun and signalling classes as well as attack training over a flagged course. On 27th June the battalion moved up to the line ready to attack on the following day. As they climbed out of the trenches on 28th June they met with the inevitable machine gun fire and over the next two days 60 Ordinary Ranks were killed.

Relieved from the trenches at Liévin on 3rd July the battalion moved to Monchy-Breton for reorganisation and training until 22nd July when they moved to Vaudricourt before going into the line at Hulluch until 28th July. After respite at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was at Fouquières until 14th August, practising for an attack. Moving to Noyelles the battalion went into the trenches on 15th August and carried out a raid on the German trenches at Hulluch on the night of the 16th/17th August. After a break at Noyelles for training the battalion returned to the trenches. The end of August was spent at Philosophe, providing carrying parties.

During September, October and early November 1917 the battalion completed six trench tours at St. Elie, with breaks at Fouquières and Philosophe. During one tour the battalion was visited by a Mr. Wilkes of the Leicester Mail, 'attired in a grey suit, steel helmet and box respirator'. On 14th November the battalion moved to Mazingarbe for a trench tour in the Hill 70 sector. November ended with the battalion billeted at Verquin, Vaudricourt and Drouvin for training and a battle rehearsal.

Three more trench tours took place in December, this time in the Cambrin right sector where there were some very heavy bombardments and gas attacks by the enemy.

New Year's Day 1918 was marked by another heavy bombardment on the battalion's trenches near Hulluch. During early January when away from the front line the battalion also provided wire carrying parties and working parties. On 20th January the battalion began a four-day transfer by march to Chocques. Between 24th January and 28th February the battalion was in training at Chocques, Allouagne, Fiefs, and Reclinghem.

Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.

On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling. On 10th April the battalion moved back into Hill 70 support, but the back areas were filled with gas and the men were sent to Coupigny Huts, Bracquemont.

Training began on 15th April but two days later 100 men became sick with what the medical specialists considered to be influenza. Sixty men were evacuated and a special rest station was set up. Those men who were well were moved to Hersin and another 100 evacuated. On 24th April the battalion moved to Bruay and went into Reserve at Fouquières on 25th, only to be shelled in their billets. As the battalion was marching to the trenches at Le Hamel on 28th April the enemy opened fire near Essars. Three men were killed and thirty-five wounded or gassed.

The battalion reached the trenches on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans. During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel.

The battalion reached the trenches on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans. During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel. Breaks were taken at Vaudricourt Park Camp and in August there were four days of training at Hesdigneul. The men also enjoyed a concert party by The Whizz-Bangs at Verquin.

By 7th August there were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and at the beginning of September, when the battalion pushed forward to Richebourg, they found a number of notices pinned up which said: 'Dear Tommy, You are welcome to all we are leaving. When we stop we shall stop and stop you in a manner you won't appreciate. Fritz.' The day after the note was found the battalion front was severely bombarded by the enemy.

From 9th -11th September the battalion was in training at Gosnay sandpits and between Béthune and Verquin. On 12th September they entrained at Chocques for Ribemont-Méricourt. Between 14th and 18th September they continued training, at Sailly-le-Sec in field firing and using a compass at night, at Franvillers in a Brigade tactical scheme, and at Teutry in attack procedure.

After this they marched to the Brigade support position in a newly captured sector east of Le Verguier and prepared for an attack on Pontruet. On 24th September the battalion took part in this operation before returning to the trenches at le Verguier.

A major operation was now being planned in the area of the St. Quentin Canal. This began on 29th September with an attack on the Hindenburg Line. The battalion advanced to the canal in artillery formation. After crossing the canal they advanced and secured Magny-la-Fosse on 1st October. On 3rd October 1918 A and D Coys, ordered to attack Doon Hill, formed up on the Preselles to Sequehart road. The battalion held this position until withdrawn to Etricourt on the night of 4th October. Between 5th and 11th October the battalion pressed forward towards Mericourt and Regnicourt before resting in billets at Fresnoy le Grand.

Between 11th and 15th October the battalion was held in reserve at Vaux-Andigny. On 17th and 18th they into the line near Mennevret. For the rest of the month the battalion remained in Fresnoy-le-Grand, training, refitting, and playing games. The battalion left Fresnoy on 1st November and marched to Becquigny in preparation for an attack on the German positions on the Sambre-Oise Canal on 4th November. In the attack the battalion succeeded in occupying positions near Bois l’Abbaye. Over the next few days the Germans continued to retreat and the battalion reached Zorees and then Sains.

After the Armistice the battalion moved to Bousies, in the Landrecies area. In January 1919 they moved to Pommereuil and demobilisation began. John was discharged from the Army on 20th March 1919, having been awarded the Military Medal.

John returned to Loughborough and resumed work as a joiner. He and his wife had ten children but the first six children – Sybil, John Henry, Reginald, Ernest, and twins Leonard and Thomas – all died under the age of four. The last four children -Ronald, Betty, Alfred and Mary fortunately survived.

John’s wife Catherine died in 1935, aged 48. In 1939 John was living with Ronald, Betty, Alfred and Mary at 11 Granville Street, where his parents had lived. In 1942 he was remarried to Florence Daisy Murden (formerly Pickering, née Johnson) in Loughborough. John died in Leicester in 1972, aged 84.

Sapper 62320 Frank Ernest Simpkins MM



Guards Division Signal Coy, Royal Engineers.

Previously 16th Signal Coy, Royal Engineers.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30797. 12 July 1918. p. 8327.

Frank Ernest Simpkins was born in Camberwell, Surrey, in late 1895. He was the son of John Henry Simpkins and his wife Amy (née Davies) who were married at Emmanuel Church, West Dulwich, on 19th April 1886. Frank had two brothers Henry and Stanley and one sister Emmeline. Five other siblings died young.

Frank’s father was initially a gardener. He subsequently became a florist and seedsman and the family lived at 69 Denmark Hill, Camberwell. In early 1911 Frank was an architect’s junior and not long afterwards he took employment as a draughtsman with Messrs. Albert E. King and Co, architects and surveyors of Baxter Gate, Loughborough, London and Derby.

Frank enlisted in London on 25th January 1915. He was assessed by the Royal Engineers at Chatham, Kent, and on 25th January 1915 was posted to the 16th Signal Coy of the Royal Engineers as Sapper 62320. He was then sent to Fermoy, Ireland, for training.

The Royal Engineers (RE) Signal Service provided for the Army's signalling and mail requirements throughout the First World War. From 1915 onwards non-telecommunications systems of signalling such as the heliograph and Lucas lamp were used in parallel with and as a backup to telegraph and telephones. Semaphore, using the army's one-flag system, was also in use in the early part of the war but was subsequently banned in the trenches as its use was guaranteed to attract enemy fire.

The most common duties associated with the Signals Service were laying communications wire (over which the telegraph was employed); operating and repairing the same; carrying messages (either on foot or by horse or cycle); handling and dispatching of mail (both official and private); constant trade practice and of course the inevitable trench digging and maintenance which they shared with their infantry colleagues. There were also mundane guard duties and the maintenance of their horses and equipment.

The RE Signals Service, in most cases, was split into small units, none bigger than Company size, and attached to Divisions, Corps and Army HQs. As they were attached to the fighting portions of Divisions men of the Signals Service saw action and were involved in many battles. With the exception of the Trumpeter, all ranks were armed as infantrymen.

Signallers were often used in forward positions to assist the artillery and provide information on their enemy targets. In these, often isolated, positions the signaller became vulnerable to enemy fire, and many signallers lost their lives.

When the Guards Division was formed in France in 1915 the 16th Signal Coy of the Royal Engineers was selected to join them. The company left Castle Hyde, Fermoy, on 9th August 1915 and entrained for Dublin. On 11th August they embarked on the SS Commodore and sailed to Liverpool where they took a train to Southampton. On 15th August they embarked on the SS Mount Temple and the SS La Marguerite and reached Le Havre on the following day. After a night in Rest Camp 5 they entrained at Havre for Lumbres where they remained until 23rd September.

On 23rd September the company moved to Norrent-Fontes, closed down Norrent-Fontes and Ferfay exchanges and proceeded to Noeux-les-Mines. On 26th September they moved to Sailly-Labourse to lay cables but work was held up by shellfire. In October work continued on old lines damaged by shells. On 27th October Divisional HQ opened up at Les Charmeaux and one crucial line was found to be disconnected at Chocques.

On 1st November all brigades were connected up to the new Divisional HQ at Gosnay. The Guards Division was then resting at Gosnay until 8th November and during this time all deficiences in cable, stores and phones were made good. On 9th November the Division began to move to La Gorgue and the Signals Company began installing permanent lines from La Gorgue station.

Work continued in this area until 15th February 1916, occasionally delayed by wet weather which made the soldering of joints impossible. On 16th February the company moved to Hazebrouck to work near Esquelbecq. On 19th March they moved on to Poperinghe and completed work between Ypres Ramparts, Potijze and Vlamertinghe. At Canal Bank, Ypres, heavy shelling interrupted their work. On 1st May shelling broke the lines at Poperinghe. Repairs were also needed in mid-May at Esquelbecq and Houtkerque. On 17th June they moved to St. Sixte for work at Elverdinghe and Proven. In July they moved to Trois Tours and on 1st August they were at Doullens and for most of August were working near Bertrancourt, Beaussart, Vitermont and Gezaincourt. At the end of August they moved to Beauval and then Treux.

In September 1916 the Guards Division entered the Somme Offensive at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the Battle of Morval. On 25th September the Signals Company laid communication lines up to Trônes Wood and then to Bernafay Wood. At the end of September they moved via Daours to Bellop St. Leonard where training took place until the beginning of November. During the rest of November the Division was based at Bernafay and Treux. At the beginning of December 192 new lines were laid at Bois Doré, Combles Catacombs, Combles Armée and Bois de l’Angle and soon afterwards further lines at Arrowhead Copse, Wedge Wood, Trônes Wood and Bronfay Farm.

On 6th January 1917 the company moved to Maurepas and lines were laid from Maurepas to Morval. On 23rd January a party working on a lateral bury was shelled, causing some casualties. Work was then carried out for the Divisional Artillery at Ardelu Wood. During February and March the company was working at Maurepas, Combles. Sailly-Saillisel and on the Le Mesnil-Etricourt line. On 19th April they moved to Omniecourt (near Clèry) and organised a new visual class for signallers.

On 7th May a ten-day training course began in the Cappy/Caux area south of the River Somme. On 17th May began to move back to the area of Heilly, Corbie and Morlancourt. On 28th May a party went to Renescure to arrange lines and on 6th June 28 men arrived from each infantry brigade for training as runners.

By 13th June the company had moved via Wormhoudt to Poperinghe and by 17th June the Guards Division was in Boesinghe, Winnizeele and Proven. The Signals Company was based at J Camp, near St. Sixte. They began laying cables in Vox Vrie, from Vox Vrie to a test point at Coppernolle, and linking them up to a cable from Vox Vrie to J Camp. On 26th June they began laying cable from Luneville Farm to the front line. Between19th and 30th July they were working between Luneville and Boesinghe.

On 30th July, the day before the opening of the Passchendaele Offensive, Divisional HQ opened at Zommerbloom Cabaret. When the Battle of Pilckem began on 31st July some power cables became damaged and messages were sent by wireless and pigeons. At the beginning of August the company was kept busy trying to restore the overground lines. Further work was then completed at Canal Bank and in the Menin Road area.

On 8th October the Guards Brigade HQ moved to De Wippe and the Divisional HQ from J Camp to Zommerbloom. On 9th October the Guards Division was involved in the Battle of Poelcapelle and on 12th October in the 1st Battle of Passchendaele. Between 21st and 31st October the Signals Company was in training with classes for linesman, riders, wireless operators and cable layers.

By mid-November the company had moved to the area of Basseux, Liancourt, Houvin and Ivergny in preparation for the Battle of Cambrai (20th November to 3rd December). They then moved to Trescault, Metz-en-Couture. In December they moved via Neuville, Bernaville, Simencourt and Fosseux to Arras. Over Christmas and the New Year Frank was granted leave to England. He rejoined the company which was training in Arras until March 1918.

During the German Spring Offensive in late March the company was operating in Berneville, Arras, Mercatel, Berles-au-Bois, Ransart and Bretencourt. The Guards Division was involved in the Battles of St. Quentin, Bapaume and Arras. Around this time Frank was awarded the Military Medal for his work as a linesman during battle.

From Bretencourt the company moved to Humbercamps in mid-April for work at Humbercamps and Gaudiempré. May was spent checking and making all lines ready for battle. In early June two trunk lines near Pommier were shelled and needed repairs. The company then moved on to Berles-au-Bois and Bailleulmont. In August they were working at Ransart and in September at Bailleulval and Lagnicourt. In October they moved to Boussières to lay battle lines and in early November they began to lay a cable near Capelle and also took over the exchanges at Capelle and Escarmain.

In early November the Guards Division captured Villers Pol and advanced to Preux-au-Sart. On 9th November the Signals Company laid a cable from Les Mottes to Maubeuge and completed work at Douzies. They were in Mauberge when the Armistice was declared.

After the Armistice the company proceeded forward via Charleroi, Assesse and Kierdorf, reaching Cologne on 17th December where the Signal Office was set up in the Hotel Mittelhauser. Just before Christmas a new office was opened in Lindenthal. January 1919 was spent between Cologne and Lindenthal. On 14th January 1919 Frank was granted fourteen days leave to England. He was finally demobbed on 12th June 1919.

Frank resumed his career as a draughtsman. In late 1919 in Lambeth he married Eileen Molteno Land, the daughter of two international opera singers Frank Land and Agnes Molteno. Frank and his wife subsequently lived in Mitcham, Surrey, Acton and Willesden. The had two children Joyce and Stanley. Frank died in 1967 in Hammersmith, London, aged 71.

Private 240532 Ernest Reginald Smith MM



1/5th Bn and 2/5th Bn Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously served as 2373.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30873. 26 August 1918. p. 10134.

Ernest Reginald Smith was born on 18th December 1898 in Leicester and baptised on 5th May 1899 at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. He was the son of Abraham Smith (sometimes known as ‘William’) and his partner Fanny Lester (known as ‘Fanny Smith’). Ernest had one brother Charles. He also had a half-brother Isaac (who died aged 4) and a half-sister Emma both born to his mother before she became the partner of Abraham Smith.

Ernest’s father was originally a farm labourer but in 1886 he enlisted and joined the Worcestershire Regiment as Private 1592. He served with the 1st Battalion of the Worcesters in Quetta, India, from 1888 to 1894, being finally discharged from the Army on 5th April 1898. He then secured employment as a platelayer for the Great Central Railway. In 1901 the Smith family was living at 7 Market Street, Loughborough. By 1911 they had moved to 74 Wellington Street. They later moved to No. 67 in Wellington Street.

Ernest enlisted in August or September 1914. He initially joined the 2/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 2373 (later renumbered as 240532)

The 2/5th Battalion was formed at Leicester in September 1914 as a second line unit. It became part of 2nd Lincoln and Leicester Brigade, 2nd North Midland Division. In January 1915 it moved to Luton and by July 1915 was at St Albans and in August 1915 became the 177th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. In April 1916 it moved to Ireland to help deal with the Easter Uprising, returning to Fovant, Hampshire, in January 1917.

On 24th February the battalion left Fovant Camp for Southampton and crossed the Channel to Le Havre. After a day's rest the battalion proceeded to Pont du Metz and from there to Fouencamps, Somme. On 1st March they moved to No. 59 Camp, Bayonvillers for four days rest before transferring via Foucacourt to the reserve trenches at Belloy and up to the front line on 11th March. By 17th March the enemy had retreated and the battalion occupied former German trenches. Between 21st and 20th March the battalion moved via Foucacourt, Eterpigny, Mesnil and Cartigny to Hamelet to support the 5th Leicesters in an attack on Hesbecourt and Hervilly.

On 2nd April the battalion attempted to attack Fervaque Farm but found it too heavily wired. Moving on to Roisel they took over the line from Margicourt to Fervaque Farm and down to Grand Priel Woods, gradually pushing the line forward. Relieved on 19th April the battalion went to billets in Bernes until 28th April when they went to the support line from Le Verguier to north of Pieumel Woods.

In May the battalion completed three trench tours, two in the front line near Ascension Farm and one in support north of Le Verguier, with nine days rest at Bias Wood camp. A further five days rest at Dessart Wood camp were followed by a front line trench tour at Villers-Plouich and four days in support at Gouzeaucourt Wood in June, after which the battalion rested in tents at Equancourt until 1st July. July began with the battalion in the front and support lines at Equancourt and then in support at Metz. On 10th July the battalion was relieved and marched to Barastre, south-east of Arras, for Divisional training and sports until 22nd August.

On 22nd August the battalion moved by route march and bus to Senlis where training continued until 31st August. After Senlis there were three more weeks training at Winnezeele before the battalion transferred to the Poperinghe area on 20th September. On 24th September the battalion moved into the Ypres North sector of the front to support the Staffordshire Regiment. On 25th September two companies of the 2/4th Battalion were in the front line, one company was in support and one was providing carrying parties.

On 26th September an attack was launched on the enemy in the Battle of Polygon Wood (a phase of the 3rd Battle of Ypres, or Passchendaele). The enemy responded with a barrage of fire and all-day shelling. On the 27th September the battalion relieved the 4th and 5th Lincolns in the front line and extended the frontage by 300 yards. Although the Germans counter-attacked they were held off, but persisted with another two-day heavy barrage. When the battalion was relieved on 30th September casualties numbered 175.

On 1st October the battalion began a twelve day move from Vlamertinghe to Thiennes by train, by bus and march to Beaumetz, then route march via Dieval, Houdain and Gouy Servins to Souchez. Reorganisation and some training took place on rest days during the move. Trench tours in the Avion sector followed, with battalion headquarters at Lens Canal. Training took place at Gouy Servins until 28th October when the battalion moved to Lievin by the Decauville railway.

November included a front line trench tour, when the battalion was trench mortared by the enemy, and training at Chateau de la Haie and Bailleulval. On 23rd November the battalion entrained at Achiet-le-Grand for Fins and camped in Dessart Wood before marching to Flesquières and La Justice.

On 30th November there was an SOS from the front regarding a heavy enemy bombardment and attack and on 1st December the battalion took over the front and support lines at Bourlon Wood. For two days the enemy artillery pounded the lines with heavy gas and high explosives. On 4th December the battalion withdrew to the old Hindenburg support line for rest, training, and to provide working parties. From 10th-14th December the battalion was at Trescault for more working parties before marching to Léchelle camp and then to Bertincourt.

After a trench tour on the Hindenburg front the battalion moved on Christmas Day to Lignereuil by route march and train. The battalion remained at Lignereuil for rest and training until 3rd February 1918. The 2/5th Battalion was then disbanded and some men, including Ernest, were transferred to the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. Ernest joined the 1/5th Leicesters at Busnettes where the battalion was in training. Training continued at Fiefs, and Reclinghem until 28th February.

Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.

On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling. On 10th April the battalion moved back into Hill 70 support, but the back areas were filled with gas and the men were sent to Coupigny Huts, Bracquemont.

Training began on 15th April but two days later 100 men became sick with what the medical specialists considered to be influenza. Sixty men were evacuated and a special rest station was set up. Those men who were well were moved to Hersin and another 100 evacuated. On 24th April the battalion moved to Bruay and went into Reserve at Fouquières on 25th, only to be shelled in their billets. As the battalion was marching to the trenches at Le Hamel on 28th April the enemy opened fire near Essars. Three men were killed and thirty-five wounded or gassed.

The battalion reached the trenches near Gorre on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans. According to J.D.Hills’ account ‘On 6th May a Cpl and three men of D Coy went out to wire their post and marched straight on to a patrol of about 15 enemy waiting for them...Two of the party were hit in the first few seconds and a third, Pte Smith …was attacked by two Germans and carried off struggling...the enemy then made off...The following night Smith returned...[while being taken back to the enemy lines] Smith watched his chance; suddenly stooping, he kicked one man amidships, seized his rifle, gave the other a jab with the bayonet, and ran for his life. He got away, but had to lie up’. Ernest was awarded the Military Medal for his courage.

During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel. Breaks were taken at Vaudricourt Park Camp and in August there were four days of training at Hesdigneul. The men also enjoyed a concert party by The Whizz-Bangs at Verquin.

By 7th August there were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and at the beginning of September, when the battalion pushed forward to Richebourg, they found a number of notices pinned up which said: 'Dear Tommy, You are welcome to all we are leaving. When we stop we shall stop and stop you in a manner you won't appreciate. Fritz.' The day after the note was found the battalion front was severely bombarded by the enemy.

From 9th -11th September the battalion was in training at Gosnay sandpits and between Béthune and Verquin. On 12th September they entrained at Chocques for Ribemont-Méricourt. Between 14th and 18th September they continued training, at Sailly-le-Sec in field firing and using a compass at night, at Franvillers in a Brigade tactical scheme, and at Teutry in attack procedure.

After this they marched to the Brigade support position in a newly captured sector east of Le Verguier and prepared for an attack on Pontruet. On 24th September the battalion took part in this operation before returning to the trenches at Le Verguier.

A major operation was now being planned in the area of the St. Quentin Canal. This began on 29th September with an attack on the Hindenburg Line. The battalion advanced to the canal in artillery formation. After crossing the canal they advanced and secured Magny-la-Fosse on 1st October. On 3rd October 1918 A and D Coys, ordered to attack Doon Hill, formed up on the Preselles to Sequehart road. The battalion held this position until withdrawn to Etricourt on the night of 4th October. Between 5th and 11th October the battalion pressed forward towards Mericourt and Regnicourt before resting in billets at Fresnoy le Grand.

Between 11th and 15th October the battalion was held in reserve at Vaux-Andigny. On 17th and 18th they into the line near Mennevret. For the rest of the month the battalion remained in Fresnoy-le-Grand, training, refitting, and playing games. The battalion left Fresnoy on 1st November and marched to Becquigny in preparation for an attack on the German positions on the Sambre-Oise Canal on 4th November. In the attack the battalion succeeded in occupying positions near Bois l’Abbaye. Over the next few days the Germans continued to retreat and the battalion reached Zorees and then Sains.

After the Armistice the battalion moved to Bousies, in the Landrecies area. In January 1919 they moved to Pommereuil and demobilisation began.

Sergeant 11701 William Henry Sparks DCM MM & Bar

 

7th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30879.
30 August 1918. p. 10348.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 29893.
5 January 1917. p. 348.

(MM Bar) The London Gazette. Supplement 30172.
6 July 1917. p. 6825.

DCM Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as signal serjeant. His fine example to the men under him caused telephone communication to be maintained under very trying conditions for two days with brigade and battalion headquarters. He frequently carried messages, under machine-gun fire, to battalion headquarters.'
MM Bar Citation

'On May 3rd Sergeant Sparks, showed great dash, courage, and devotion to duty in going forward through a heavy barrage of fire whilst an attack was in progress, and when the attack got held up, got communication and maintained it for a considerable time.'

Lance Corporal 31470 John Thomas Telford MM

 

8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment

Previously 9th Bn.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30498. 25 January 1918. p. 1399.


John Thomas Telford was born in Keswick, Cumberland, on 8th August 1883 and baptised on 26th August 1883 at St. Kentigern’s Church, Crosthwaite, Cumberland. He was the son of Watson Telford and his wife Mary (née Watson) who were married at St. Kentigern’s Church, Crosthwaite, on 12th November 1882. John had one brother George and two sisters Edith and Jessie.

John’s father was a pencil maker and in 1891 the family lived at 5 Scott’s Court, Keswick. By 1901 they had moved to No. 3 in the same court. They later moved to 1 Tithebarn Street in Keswick.

In 1901 John, aged 17, was working for a grocer as a warehouseman but at some point between 1901 and 1911 he moved south to Leicestershire and was employed as a domestic gardener. On 1st June 1910 he married Mary Margaret Richardson at St. Mary’s Church, Wigton, Cumberland. In 1911 John and his wife were living at The Cottage, Swithland, Loughborough, with their baby daughter Gladys.

John enlisted on 30th November 1915 and joined the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 31470. After initial training he was posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment in France. As John’s service record has not survived the exact date of his posting is unknown. The war diary of the 9th Battalion, however, has only one record of a draft of reinforcements between June 1916 and January 1917: 263 Ordinary Ranks joined the battalion at Raimbert, near Lillers, on 8th January 1917.

The battalion remained in Raimbert in training until 27th January 1917. On 28th January the battalion marched to Lillers and entrained for Proven, from where they marched to billets in Houdeque-Watou. Training ensued until 13th February when they returned by train to Béthune. On 15th February they were back in the trenches in the Hohenzollern Sector and subjected to heavy enemy artillery fire. The battalion remained there in the front or support line until 27th March when they proceeded via Sailly-Labourse to Gaudiemare for training.

From 7th - 15th April the battalion held the Outpost Line at Croisilles before moving to Bailleulval for further training. After a break in Ayette the battalion transferred to Hamelincourt and then to Boiry-Becquerelle where an attack was being planned. On 3rd May the battalion moved forward to attack. Total casualties were 16 officers and 299 ordinary ranks. After the battle the battalion was withdrawn to the Reserve at Quarry St. Leger and then sent for rest and training at Pommier until the end of May. The battalion returned to the trenches on 7th June and on 15th and 16th June took part in an attack on the enemy. On 17th June the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Ervillers for physical training, instruction in bayonet fighting and sports competitions. Training and sports continued at Izel-lès-Hameau until 14th September.

On 15th September the battalion marched to Savy and entrained for Caestre. Training continued at Caestre and then at Berthen until 25th September. The battalion then moved to Micmac Camp between Dickebusch and Ouderdom before proceeding to the forward area. On 30th September they took up a position in shell-holes east of Polygon Wood. The enemy attacked but were driven off by C Coy. Polygon Wood was shelled and there was much sniping and shooting,

The battalion was relieved on 4th October, reorganised into two companies and combined with the 8th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. The combined battalion then marched to railway dugouts at Zillebeke. On 6th October two companies moved to trenches east of Polygon Wood whilst two went into close support to the 7th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. The enemy then unleashed a barrage along the whole front followed by heavy shelling. On 10th October the battalion began moving back to camp through heavy shelling. On 11th October they marched to Ouderdom and entrained for Blairinghem. The 9th Battalion then went into rest billets at Racquinghem for five days of reorganisation and training. The remainder of October was spent providing working parties for the Divisional Signals from Scottish Wood Camp and C Camp, Chateau Segard, and on another trench tour.

At some point around this time John was awarded the Military Medal.

In early November the battalion was in support at railway dugouts, Zillebeke, and in reserve at C Camp, followed by a trench tour. Between 13th and 17th October they underwent training at Forrester Camp and at Horseshoe Camp, Reninghelst. They then marched via La Becque and Mt. Bernenchon to Hersin. At Hersin A Coy’s billets in the Nunnery took a direct hit killing 11 men and wounding 20. The battalion then moved to Barlin for training until 30th November when they entrained at Savy for Tincourt.

In December the battalion completed four trench tours at Epehy, with breaks at Villers-Faucon and Saulcourt. In early January 1918 there was another trench tour followed by a rest at Longavesnes and a course on firing at Haut Allaines. In early February they returned to the Epehy trenches before moving to Saulcourt Camp and then to Moislains. The 9th Battalion was then disbanded and the men split up between the 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions of the Leicestershire Regiment.

John was posted to the 8th Battalion which was also in Moislains undergoing training. The battalion then dug a fire trench near Gurlu Wood, worked on new aerodromes at Cartigny and dug the main line of defence near Pezière.

In early March it became clear that the enemy was preparing for a large-scale attack. On 21st March the Germans opened their Spring Offensive, advancing in formation and accompanied by a bombardment of every description. The battalion, still in the neighbourhood of Epehy, suffered heavy casualties on the front line between 21st and 23rd March. On the night of the 23rd March the battalion moved into a position north-east of Cléry-sur-Somme but was forced into a further withdrawal on the following day when the enemy began an outflanking action. After moving to Bray-sur-Somme, Chipilly, and then Bresle, the nucleus of the battalion moved to the chateau at Vadencourt while the remainder operated in the Bray-Chipilly-Morlancourt-Ribemont area. By 31st March the entire battalion, which had suffered 415 casualties since 21st March, was at rest in Allonville.

On 1st April the battalion entrained at St. Roch station, near Amiens, for Hopoutre and proceeded by lorry to Monmouthshire Camp, near Dranoutre. Between 4th and 9th April they moved via Kemmel Shelters Camp, Curragh Camp near Westoutre and Ontario Camp near Reninghelst to Manawatu Camp near Zillebeke Lake. From 10th-13th April the battalion was in close reserve at Torr Top and Canada Tunnels before taking over the front and support lines for two days. On 15th they were ordered to withdraw to Forrester Camp near the Ypres-Kruistraakhoek road but when this was shelled, moved to the trenches. Between 18th April and the end of the month the battalion valiantly defended a line of posts, covering gaps wherever the enemy broke through.

The month of May began with a two-day break at Buysscheure for seven days of training, after which the battalion entrained at Wizernes for Serzy-Savigny. Training continued at Aougny and then at D Camp, Chalons de Vergeur near Bouvancourt. On 20th May the battalion went into the trenches east of the Aisne-Marne Canal between Cauroy and Cormicy. On 26th May the enemy began a heavy bombardment along the whole of the Aisne front and began penetrating the battalion's trenches. After the battle the battalion moved to Pourcy and then to the Forêt d' Epernay. In June 1918 the battalion moved to the Normandy coast of France for rest and recreation and was billeted in Dieppe. On 28th June the battalion was reduced to a training cadre. Its few remaining personnel were distributed to the other Leicestershire battalions except for some officers and NCOs who remained in charge of training. It returned to England on 7th July 1918.

John was finally discharged on 24th July 1919. He had been promoted to Lance Corporal. He was also awarded a Silver War Badge but details of when and where he was wounded have been lost. He returned to his wife and daughter at 6 Garton Street, Loughborough. In 1939 he was employed as a desk clerk and was living with his family at 13 Forest Road, Loughborough. John died in 1963 in Loughborough, aged 80.


Sergeant 241997 Percy Thompson MM

 

1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment

Previously 5522 1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment and 9772 2nd Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Issue 31405. 13 June 1919. p. 7667.


Percy Thompson was born on 6th October 1895 in Wymeswold, Leicestershire, and baptised at St. Mary’s Church, Wymeswold, on 18th March 1900. He was the son of Joseph Thompson and his wife Sarah (née Chambers) who were married at All Saints Church, Dunton Bassett, Leicestershire, on 14th May 1883. Percy was one of fifteen children of Joseph and Sarah Thompson, thirteen of whom survived to adulthood. He had nine brothers John, Joseph, Thomas, William, George, Samuel, Walter, Alfred and Harry, and three sisters Kitty, Sarah and Nelly.

Percy’s father was initially an agricultural labourer but he later became a stoker at an engineering works. His mother was a seamstress. By 1901 the family had moved from Wymeswold to Hathern Turn, Hathern, and in 1911 Percy, aged 15, was employed as a labourer in the sawmills of a tramcar works.

Percy enlisted in the late summer or early autumn of 1913. The exact date of his enlistment, however, is unknown as his service papers have not survived. He joined the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 9772. After training in Portsmouth with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion he was sent to join C Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment in France on 12th November 1914. The 2nd Battalion, part of an Indian Army formation led by Major-General Charles Blackader, had recently arrived from Ranikhet, India, and Percy joined them in the front line trenches near Calonne-Ricouart. For the next two months the battalion came under continued shellfire, bombing and sniping from the enemy but, nevertheless, continued to strengthen the trenches.

At the end of January and during February 1915 the Battalion was occupied with training and trench duties and based at Richebourg St. Vaast, Lestrem, Robecq and Ecquedecques. In early March the battalion was in the trenches near Richebourg St. Vaast and was one of the units then chosen to spearhead the Allied assault at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10th-13th March 1915).

Along with their Indian comrades the 2nd Leicesters attacked the German position known as Port Arthur, near La Bombe crossroads. The Garhwal Brigade's Indian battalions were held up by uncut wire, but the 2nd Battalion led the attack on the right and smashed a way through or over all obstacles and quickly overwhelmed the enemy holding the trenches covering the village and woods at Neuve Chapelle.

The battalion then took part in the Battle of Aubers Ridge (9th May) and an additional night attack on 15th May, the first day of the Battle of Festubert.

The 2nd Leicesters spent the next couple of months alternately in the trenches or in billets while war training, in the area of Calonne and Vieille Chapelle north-east of Béthune. The corps was then rested in a quiet sector until it was deployed for the Battle of Loos which began on 25th September.

The initial attack at Loos was to be made by three divisions, with the Meerut Division leading the attack on the Indian front; Blackader's brigade, with two Gurkha battalions and the 2nd Leicesters, was on its right flank. Whilst the attack successfully crossed no-man's land under cover of the barrage, the right flank of the brigade was caught up in defensive wire, and only one battalion successfully made its way into the German trenches. Gas also affected some of the men and the smoke caused a dense fog, making direction difficult. From the 2nd Battalion 72 men were killed, 217 wounded, 42 were gassed, and 96 were recorded as missing. Percy was one of those wounded.

How long Percy was away from the front is unknown. Whether he was at home when his father died in 1916 is also unknown. Percy did not return to the 2nd Leicesters but was instead posted to the 1/5th Leicesters and given the new service number of Private 5522 (and later renumbered as 241997). His new service number indicates that he joined his new battalion sometime in 1916.

January 1916 was taken up with a potential move of the 1/5th Leicesters to Egypt which was aborted at Marseilles, the battalion being returned to Candas, and the area of Vimy Ridge. In mid-February 1916 the 1/5th Battalion took over the line north of the River Ancre opposite Beaumont-Hamel in France. On 29th February the battalion moved to the area of Doullens where the men worked on improving the trenches despite being subjected to a considerable bombardment from the enemy with mines and craters being blown.

From 9th March 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were in the area of Vimy Ridge, Pas de Calais, either in the front line, in support, in reserve or at rest. On 27th April the battalion was sent to the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast to work with the French and English tunnellers and then to billets in Luchaux for bayonet training. This was followed by a period at Souastre digging cable trenches, and constructing bomb stores and gun pits in preparation for a 'big push'.

On 4th June 1916 the 1/5th Leicesters were moved up to trenches near Gommecourt. This was followed by further training at Warlincourt. On 30th June the battalion assembled in a trench near Foncquevillers Church ready for the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the first day of the Somme Offensive planned for 1st July. In the attack at Gommecourt the 46th Division of the Army, of which the 1/5th Leicesters were part, suffered 2445 casualties.

On 7th July the battalion relieved the 4th Lincolnshires in the trenches opposite Essarts-lès-Bucquoy. The battalion remained in the area of Monchy-au-Bois until 29th October, either in the trenches or resting at Bienvillers or Pommier. The battalion's next move was to Millencourt for intensive battle training, returning to Halloy and then Souastre at the beginning of December.

The battalion remained at Souastre until 11th March 1917 and then moved once more up to the line taking over 2,600 yards of frontage from the La Brayelle road to the Hannescamps-Monchy road. On 17th March they moved into Gommecourt for road mending before moving to Bertrancourt, Raincheval and then Rainvillers not far from Amiens.

On 28th March the battalion marched to Saleux, entrained for Lillers in the north, and marched to Laires. Training took place until 13th April and continued for three further days at Manqueville, after which the battalion moved to the western outskirts of Lens. From there they marched to Bully-Grenay and went into the front line trenches where they were heavily shelled. On 29th April the battalion went into rest billets in cellars at Cité St. Pierre until 3rd May when they went into support trenches. On 8th they went into billets at Fosse 10 near Petit Sains for training and on 12th into reserve at Angres. Further trench tours south-west of Lens followed until 26th May when the battalion went into billets at Marqueffles Farm for training in bayonet fighting and bombardment and to practise methods of attack. On 6th June the battalion was back in the line and on 8th June went into the attack, suffering 96 casualties.

Apart from two breaks at Red Mill from 9th-13th and 18th-20th June the battalion was in the trenches until 22nd June. On 21st June C Coy was accidentally gassed by the Royal Engineers, resulting in 94 casualties of whom 22 died. Back at Marqueffles Farm from 22nd the battalion had Lewis gun and signalling classes as well as attack training over a flagged course. On 27th June the battalion moved up to the line ready to attack on the following day. As they climbed out of the trenches on 28th June they met with the inevitable machine gun fire and over the next two days 60 Ordinary Ranks were killed.

Relieved from the trenches at Liévin on 3rd July the battalion moved to Monchy-Breton for reorganisation and training until 22nd July when they moved to Vaudricourt before going into the line at Hulluch until 28th July.

According to Hills in his account of The Fifth Leicestershire Regiment, (1919) one afternoon 'was far from quiet, and for several hours our new line was heavily shelled. In addition to the usual field batteries, there was one heavy gun which fired continuously on "A" Company's lines, obtaining a direct hit on Company Headquarters…In all twenty-eight were wounded, making our casualties for the battle three officers and ninety other ranks'.

After respite at Noeux-les-Mines the battalion was at Fouquières until 14th August, practising for an attack. Moving to Noyelles the battalion went into the trenches on 15th August and carried out a raid on the German trenches at Hulluch on the night of the 16th/17th August. After a break at Noyelles for training the battalion returned to the trenches. The end of August was spent at Philosophe, providing carrying parties.

During September, October and early November 1917 the battalion completed six trench tours at St. Elie, with breaks at Fouquières and Philosophe. During one tour the battalion was visited by a Mr. Wilkes of the Leicester Mail, 'attired in a grey suit, steel helmet and box respirator'. On 14th November the battalion moved to Mazingarbe for a trench tour in the Hill 70 sector. November ended with the battalion billeted at Verquin, Vaudricourt and Drouvin for training and a battle rehearsal.

Three more trench tours took place in December, this time in the Cambrin right sector where there were some very heavy bombardments and gas attacks by the enemy.

New Year's Day 1918 was marked by another heavy bombardment on the battalion's trenches near Hulluch. During early January when away from the front line the battalion also provided wire carrying parties and working parties. On 20th January the battalion began a four-day transfer by march to Chocques. Between 24th January and 28th February the battalion was in training at Chocques, Allouagne, Fiefs, and Reclinghem.

Between 28th February and 2nd March the battalion moved via Delettes and Ligny-lès-Aire to Ecquedecques where inspections took place. On 6th March they went into Brigade support on the Annequin-Cambrin road, at Annequin Fosse and at Sailly-Labourse. On 8th they marched to the front line trenches in the Cambrin right sub-sector where, until 15th March, they experienced considerable enemy shelling. After moving into Brigade reserve at Sailly-Labourse, Factory dugouts, Windy Corner and Central Keep on 16th they were again shelled by the enemy.

On 20th March the battalion went into Divisional reserve at Beuvry. On 24th March they returned to the Cambrin right sub-sector trenches (now renamed the Hohenzollern sector) where all available men were employed at night on wiring. After a break at Sailly-Labourse the battalion marched to Fosse 7 and into Hill 70 Support on 28th March. Two companies moved up to the front line on 1st April and inter-company reliefs took place on 5th April. The men were in the trenches for nine days, suffering repeated bombardments of all kinds, including mustard gas shelling. On 10th April the battalion moved back into Hill 70 support, but the back areas were filled with gas and the men were sent to Coupigny Huts, Bracquemont.

Training began on 15th April but two days later 100 men became sick with what the medical specialists considered to be influenza. Sixty men were evacuated and a special rest station was set up. Those men who were well were moved to Hersin and another 100 evacuated. On 24th April the battalion moved to Bruay and went into Reserve at Fouquières on 25th, only to be shelled in their billets. As the battalion was marching to the trenches at Le Hamel on 28th April the enemy opened fire near Essars. Three men were killed and thirty-five wounded or gassed.

The battalion reached the trenches on 29th April and remained there until 7th May. During this time they were heavily shelled and a night wiring party was ambushed by the Germans. During the rest of May, June, July and August the battalion did trench tours in the Gorre sub-sector and at Essars/Le Hamel. Breaks were taken at Vaudricourt Park Camp and in August there were four days of training at Hesdigneul. The men also enjoyed a concert party by The Whizz-Bangs at Verquin.

By 7th August there were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and at the beginning of September, when the battalion pushed forward to Richebourg, they found a number of notices pinned up which said: 'Dear Tommy, You are welcome to all we are leaving. When we stop we shall stop and stop you in a manner you won't appreciate. Fritz.' The day after the note was found the battalion front was severely bombarded by the enemy.

From 9th -11th September the battalion was in training at Gosnay sandpits and between Béthune and Verquin. On 12th September they entrained at Chocques for Ribemont-Méricourt. Between 14th and 18th September they continued training, at Sailly-le-Sec in field firing and using a compass at night, at Franvillers in a Brigade tactical scheme, and at Teutry in attack procedure.

After this they marched to the Brigade support position in a newly captured sector east of Le Verguier and prepared for an attack on Pontruet. On 24th September the battalion took part in this operation before returning to the trenches at le Verguier.

A major operation was now being planned in the area of the St. Quentin Canal. This began on 29th September with an attack on the Hindenburg Line. The battalion advanced to the canal in artillery formation. Hills recorded that 'At 1-40 p.m. our barrage started and our advance began; our shelling was slightly ragged in one or two places, but for the most part it was very accurate-wonderfully so, as guns were firing at extreme range. On the right A Company working along, and on both sides of an old trench, reached their objective without difficulty except for the shelling which, aimed at the Tanks, was falling all round the Company’.

After crossing the canal they advanced and secured Magny-la-Fosse on 1st October. On 3rd October 1918 A and D Coys, ordered to attack Doon Hill, formed up on the Preselles to Sequehart road. The battalion held this position until withdrawn to Etricourt on the night of 4th October.

Between 5th and 11th October the battalion pressed forward towards Mericourt and Regnicourt and Percy is mentioned several times in Hills’ account of the battalion’s progress through Fresnoy and Riquerval Woods.

Between 11th and 15th October the battalion was held in reserve at Vaux-Andigny. On 17th and 18th they into the line near Mennevret. For the rest of the month the battalion remained in Fresnoy-le-Grand, training, refitting, and playing games. The battalion left Fresnoy on 1st November and marched to Becquigny in preparation for an attack on the German positions on the Sambre-Oise Canal on 4th November. In the attack the battalion succeeded in occupying positions near Bois l'Abbaye. Over the next few days the Germans continued to retreat and the battalion reached Zorees and then Sains.

After the Armistice the battalion moved to Bousies, in the Landrecies area. In January 1919 they moved to Pommereuil and demobilisation began.

Percy returned to Loughborough having been promoted to the rank of Sergeant and having been awarded the Military Medal. He found employment as a roadman and moved from 103 Station Street to 31 Hartington Street. On 24th July 1926 he married Frances Smith at All Saints Church, Loughborough. Their only child Charles born in 1928 died the same year. In 1939 Percy and his wife were living at 120 Ashby Road and Percy was listed as ‘Incapacitated’. He died, aged 55, in Leicester in 1951.

Percy’s brother John, who also served with the Leicestershire Regiment in the war, was killed in action in 1918.


Sergeant STK/1138  Benjamin Townsend MM

 

10th Bn, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

Also numbered GS/97560

The London Gazette. Supplement 30172. 6 July 1917. p. 6837.

 


Benjamin Townsend was born in Loughborough on 14th August 1890 and baptised on 30th August 1898 at the Loughborough Circuit Methodist Church. He was the son of Christopher Townsend and his wife Ellen (née Hollingworth) who were married at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Grantham, Lincolnshire, on 14th July 1877. Benjamin had four brothers Ernest, Herbert, Arthur and Christopher (Junior) and four sisters Gertrude, Nellie, May and Ethel. His brother Ernest, however, died aged 10, in 1889.

Benjamin’s father was a coach builder and between 1891 and 1901 they lived at 16 Toothill Road, Loughborough. Soon after 1901 they moved to 19 Storer Road and Benjamin became a member of St. Peter’s Church, joined the Sunday School and then the Church Lads’ Brigade.

By 1911 Benjamin, aged 20, was a junior mechanical draughtsman. Not long afterwards he took a position as a draughtsman in London.

Benjamin enlisted in August 1914. He joined the 10th (Service) Battalion (unofficially known as the Stockbrokers’ Battalion) of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) as Private STK/1138 (also numbered as GS/97560).

The battalion at first recruited young men from the Stock Exchange and City firms who were keen to join up and get into action. Many could have applied for commissions but were reluctant to spend the time necessary for training. Members of the Stock Exchange from well-known families, like Rothschild and Rubens, served in the ranks alongside clerks from insurance, shipping and banks. The City connection was strengthened when the Lord Mayor, Sir Vansittart Bowater, was made Honorary Colonel in 1914 and held the position throughout the War. City Livery companies gave money to provide weapons, and the instruments for the Band.

The 10th Royal Fusiliers had a little-known duplicate battalion that specialised in intelligence work. There was no interaction or involvement of the ‘Fighting 10th’ and the evolving intelligence element known as ‘Intelligence B’ and Benjamin does not appear to have had any role in the latter as he trained as a Signaller.

The ‘Fighting 10th’ Battalion began training at Colchester, Essex, on 4th September 1914 and moved to Andover, Hampshire, in 1915. They went to France on 30th July 1915. After disembarking in Boulogne they proceeded to a rest camp. On 31st July they marched to Pont de Briques, entrained for Watten and marched to Monnecove. On 5th August they arrived in St. Sylvestre. On 8th August 500 men were sent to Armentières for digging with the 12th Division and the others joined them there on 17th August. The rest of August was spent on familiarisation with trench life and warfare at Houplines and Grenas.

In September the battalion completed a trench tour at Fonquevillers, provided working parties for the Royal Engineers at Souastre and were in Reserve to the 10th French Corps at La Cauchie. Three further trench tours took place at Fonquevillers in October and November with breaks at Souastre for training and working parties and November ended with cable laying at Pas and Bienvillers. In December 1915 and January 1916 trench tours continued at Fonquevillers and the battalion came under heavy enemy shell-fire.

On 11th February the battalion marched to Bailleulval and between then and 14th March completed five trench tours there. On 18th March they began a two-day march via Mondicourt and Doullens to Mezerolles where training and sports took place until mid-April. Between 21st and 22nd April they marched via Halloy to Humbercamps. At Humbercamps they provided large working parties for digging the corps line and loading stores for the Royal Engineers.

On the night of 30th April they marched to Berles-au-Bois and went straight into the trenches. Here they were heavily shelled by the enemy and sustained 57 casualties. Six more trench tours took place at Berles-au-Bois in May and June and accommodation for breaks was in subterranean passages under the village.

On 1st July, when the Somme Offensive began, the battalion was in the trenches at Berles-au-Bois. On 2nd July the battalion’s HQ was heavily peppered with shrapnel. On 4th July the battalion marched to Mondicourt and on 5th July was taken by lorry to the area of Albert. On the night of the 9th the battalion camp at Albert was heavily shelled, and a grenade dump detonated, causing four casualties. In the front line death and desolation were everywhere. La Boisselle was level with the ground. The trenches were battered and exposed. Dead bodies lay about on all sides. On July 10th B and C Companies were pushed up in relief of the 13th Rifle Brigade, which had suffered from machine-gun fire and the 10th Battalion lay in advanced positions under heavy shell fire for two days. After a few days in a third line position the battalion moved forward to support the attack on Pozières. Although the enemy machine-gun fire was deadly the battalion managed to reach Tara Usna Hill near La Boisselle. On 20th July the battalion marched to Bresle where seven days of training took place. On 30th July they marched to Albert and on 31st July went into the front line at Mametz Wood. After three days strengthening the position the battalion moved to the support line east of Bazentin-le-Petit Wood.

After heavy enemy attacks on 5th and 6th August the battalion was relieved and completed salvage work together with some training. Between 15th and 22nd August they marched to Bresle, entrained at Frechencourt for Allery, marched to Longpré and entrained for Bailleul, marched to Estaires and entrained at La Gorgue for Calonne-Recourt. After eight days instruction they went into Corps reserve in the Bois du Bouvigny. During September they completed two trench tours in the Calonne sector with a break for training at Verdrel. In October, after another trench tour they moved to Bully-Grenay in reserve. Between 17th and 23rd October they marched via Maisnil-les-Ruitz to Auchevillers, moved by bus to Engelbelmer and reached Puchevillers where they spent a week practising attack tactics.

From 1st to 9th November the battalion was in Hardinval training and providing working parties. On 13th November they moved forward from Martinsart toward Varennes and took 270 prisoners. During the Battle of the Ancre further attacks by the battalion were mostly unsuccessful and by 26th November they were in a camp at Puchevillers.

Training then took place until 13th December. Between 14th and 20th December the battalion marched via Rougefay, Oeuf and Robecq to Vielle Chapelle and went into the line at Neuve Chapelle where they were heavily bombarded by the enemy. Relieved on 27th December they moved to Croix Barbée for training and then to Lacon.

On 15th January 1917 and again on 26th January the battalion returned to the front line at Neuve Chapelle, with a break at La Fosse. On 2nd February they were on the move again via Caudescure and Fouquereuil to Hulluch where they went into the trenches on 13th February. After a second trench tour at Hulluch they marched via Labeuvrière and Marest to Buneville for training until 4th April. The battalion then took part in the Battle of Arras which began on 9th April. On 11th April they were ordered to attack Monchy-le-Preux. Their attack was eventually successful but the battalion suffered 252 casualties.

After the battle the battalion moved by bus to Agnez-lèz-Duisans and then marched to Izel-lèz-Hameau for reorganisation and training. On 21st April they went into the trenches at Athies and formed up for an attack at Gavrelle. On 23rd April they advanced and took the German second line but further advance was held up by machine gun fire and snipers. This attack cost the battalion 266 casualties.

Benjamin was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry at the Battle of Arras. He also received the Divisional honour of the ‘Green Card’, presented by the Divisional General for Acts of Courage in action from April 23rd to 29th 1917, near Gavrelle, in maintaining communications under heavy shell fire.

At the end of April the battalion was taken by lorry to Izel-lès-Hameau where inspections and tactical exercises took place until 17th May. On 19th May the battalion began a three-day march via Arras to Tilloy-lès-Mofflaines and on 25th May they went into the support line near Wancourt. Here they provided salvage and carrying parties until the end of May.

Most of June was spent in training at Ambrines and Beaumetz-lès-Aire. At the end of the month they moved to Wytschaete for salvage work which took place amid enemy shelling. During July there were two trench tours and ten days training at Dranoutre. August included two more trench tours, during one of which the battalion was hit by enemy mustard gas shells, and training at Kemmel Shelters. Training continued in early September, interspersed with salvage and wiring parties. At the end of September the battalion was back in the front line and subjected to heavy enemy shelling.

In early October the battalion supported an attack in the Battle of Broodseinde after which they went into reserve at Hedge Street Tunnels. Relieved on 15th October they moved to Lurgan Camp, Dranoutre, and then to Croix Rouge, Strazeele, and then Rossignol Camp for training until 16th November. Two trench tours followed, with breaks at Moated Grange and Parret Camps. December ended with working parties.

In early January 1918 the battalion returned to the trenches at Bow Dugouts. On 12th January they marched to Dickebusch, entrained for Ebblinghem and marched to Wardrecques for training until 3rd February. They then returned to Dickebusch for working parties in the forward area followed by a trench tour. After a break at Manawatu Camp they went into close support at Hooge Tunnels.

On 8th March the enemy heavily bombarded the Joppa-Jericho system of trenches and the battalion was asked for reinforcements for counter-attacks. The battalion suffered 68 casualties but held the trenches until 17th March. They then provided salvage parties before returning to the line. On 27th March they entrained for Zeeland, marched to Hopoutre and entrained for Bouquemaison. From there they marched to Doullens, entrained for Mentières and marched to Vauchelles-lès-Authie.

At the beginning of April the battalion was in the front and support lines near Hebuterne and heavily bombarded by the enemy. On 17th April they marched to the Louvencourt area for training and working parties. On 24th April they marched via Souastre to the trenches facing Ablainville where they were shelled. On 9th May they moved back to Foncquevillers and were on the receiving end of enemy gas shells. The battalion moved again to Souastre and then to Authie for inspections and training.

From 5th-14th June training continued at Ferrières, after which the battalion moved over six days to Hénu where they went into the front line. During July there were two trench tours, working parties for the Royal Engineers and training. Between 9th and 18th August they were in training at Souastre before returning to the trenches. On the 21st August the 2nd Battle of Bapaume began and the battalion was involved in the attacks on Ablainzevelle, Achiet-le-Grand, Bihucourt and Favreuil.

From 26th August until 7th September the battalion was training at Logeast Wood and Favreuil, after which they moved to Beughy and took up a position in Havrincourt Wood in order to support operations. They then moved into support by the canal. At the end of September they were in Thilloy and Pys training.

At the beginning of October they were in the line west of Banteux, and took part in the capture of Bel Aise Farm. Between 11th and 21st October they were in Ligny for training and salvage work. From 21st -24th October they took part in the attack on Beaurain and Neuville-Salesches. On 4th November they attacked Louvignies-Quesnoy and were then ordered to billets in Beaurain.

The battalion received news of the Armistice while they were marching from Beaurain to Caudry on 11th November. They remained in Caudry until 1st December when they began moving forward into Belgium. By 20th December they were at Jumet, north of Charleroi and themen began classes in French, book-keeping, shorthand and arithmetic. Demobilisation began in February 1919.

Benjamin ended the war having reached the rank of Sergeant. He was presented with his Military Medal by the Mayor of Loughborough, Councillor W. Coltman. A local newspaper reported as follows:

Major C. H. Adams in asking the Mayor to present the Military Medal, said it was with pardonable pride that he regarded one of his old Brigade boys, for Sergeant Townsend was a member of the Saint Peters C. L. B when he was the Captain of that Company. The Battalion was also making a presentation of a copy of Shakespeare's works and an Army Manual, which would be of use to the recipient in his duties.

The Mayor said not only could the C. l. B. be proud of one of their old members, but he himself felt, as an old boy of the Intermediate School under the late Mr.James Upton, that the Sergeant had honoured his old school, for he was the first old boy, (he spoke under correction ) who had gained this distinction in the war. The town felt deeply grateful and appreciated what Loughborough men were doing in keeping the name of the town so honoured. It was one of the most pleasurable duties of his office to present decorations for bravery and distinction.

Sergeant Townsend, in reply, said he looked on what he had done as a matter of duty, and was there at the time to do it. He had been a signaller from the time he joined, and it was their duty to keep up communications especially during a heavy attack when the line sometimes became broken. This had happened, and in maintaining communications he had simply done his duty as a soldier.

The Rev. R. J. Sturdee stated that the Church Council of Saint Peter's had voted unanimously an illuminated address should be presented to Sergeant Townsend, who had brought such honour on them, but unfortunately the address had not been completed in time to hand it over that day. The town had reason to be justifiably proud of citizens who won distinctions because we felt they brought honour on us in achieving honour for themselves. It was also fitting that his medal should be pinned on by one who had himself received honour from His Majesty, and he took that opportunity in congratulating his Worship on having been made a member of the Order of the British Empire
.’

After the war Benjamin returned to being a draughtsman in London. On 27th December 1920 he married Annie Elizabeth Selby at All Saints Church, Loughborough. In about 1924 Benjamin and Annie moved to Stafford when Benjamin was offered a position with Siemens. They had four children Barrie, Marie, Janet and Anne. In 1939 the family was living at 125 Cannock Road, Stafford. When and where Benjamin died is unknown.

 

Sergeant 10400 Alfred Stanley Warner MM
Croix de Guerre

 

6th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30962.
18 October 1918. p.12418.

(C de G) The London Gazette. Supplement 31109.
3 January 1919. p. 317.

 

 


Alfred Stanley Warner (known to his family and friends as ‘Alf’) was born in Ibstock, Leicestershire, on 26th June 1895. He was the son of William Warner and his wife Clara (née Barker) who were married at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, on 20th July 1894. Alf had one brother Francis and one sister Florence, known as ‘Sissy’..

When Alf was born his father was a carpenter and joiiner and in 1901 the family was living at Chestnut Road, Glenfield, Leicester. By 1911, however, his parents had moved to Loughborough where his father had become a draper and hosier at 23 Church Gate. In 1911 Alf, aged 15, was an engineering fitter.

Alf enlisted as soon as war broke out in August 1914. He joined the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 10400. He was sent from the Depot to Bordon, near Aldershot, Hampshire where the emphasis was on individual training, squadron and platoon drill. In March 1915 the battalion went into billets in Liphook. In April the battalion became part of the 37th Division of the Army and concentrated at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. On 22nd July the Division began to cross the English Channel and Alf arrived in France on 30th July 1915. The Division initially concentrated near Tilques not far from St.Omer.

In September the battalion was sent to Berles-au-Bois, south-west of Arras and near the front line. In the months that followed the 6th Battalion did tours in the trenches, alternating with the 8th Leicesters who relieved them. The battalion was engaged in localised operations seeking a tactical advantage and remained in the area around Bienvillers and Bailleulmont until July 1916.

On 1st July 1916 the 6th Battalion moved from Saulty to Humbercamps, where it was held in reserve for the Somme Offensive which had just begun. On 6th July the battalion marched to Talmas to join the Army's 21st Division. From 7th to 10th July the battalion was in Hengest-sur-Somme, and from there on 10th proceeded by route march, bus and train to Fricourt. Between 14th and 17th July the battalion took part in an attack on and successfully captured Bazentin-le-Petit Wood and village. On 20th July the battalion entrained at Ribemont for Saleux, after which they marched to Hengest. Travelling part of the way in lorries and part of the way on foot they reached Arras on 27th July and relieved the 8th Leicesters in the trenches on 7th August. The remainder of August was spent in the trenches and in billets at Arras.

On 4th September the battalion left Arras for Liencourt and after a week there for training moved to Fricourt and Bernafay Wood, east of Montauban-de-Picardie. Here from 19th to 24th September the men were employed in the improvement of communication and support trenches in preparation for a forthcoming attack on Gueudecourt. On 25th September the 6th Leicesters moved up to the assembly trenches in order to be ready to support the 8th and 9th Leicesters as they advanced. Progress was made north and east of Gueudecourt but as the Leicesters consolidated their position the village itself and its approaches were heavily bombarded by the enemy. This situation remained the same over the next few days. After the attack the battalion returned to bivouac at Bernafay Wood.

On 4th October the battalion began a three-day transfer by train and route march to Sailly-Labourse and began trench tours in the Hohenzollern Sector near Vermelles. They remained in the front line, in the support trenches or in Reserve until mid-December when they moved to Auchel. From 21st December 1916 to 28th January 1917 the battalion was in training at Auchel. Training was continued at Houtkerque until mid-February. Trench tours at Noyelles and Vermelles followed until the beginning of April when the battalion transferred to Hamelincourt. From 11th to 13th April the battalion was in action at the start of the Arras Offensive and on 3rd May in an attack on Fontaine-lès-Croisilles.

On the following day the battalion moved to the support posts on the Sunken Road, staying there until 8th May when they moved to the forward posts. Relieved on 11th May they marched to the railway bank and on 12th May to billets in Berles-au-Bois. The remainder of May was spent resting and training in musketry and tactical schemes. From 1st-7th June two companies of the battalion worked on improving C Camp at Moyenville whilst the other two companies worked for the Royal Engineers digging communication trenches in Sunken Road. Following this the battalion returned to the trenches at Croisilles, taking the front line from 11th-19th June. Here they were heavily shelled. From C Camp at Moyenville on 20th June the battalion moved to Hendecourt-lès-Ransart for rest, training and field firing.

Back in Divisional Reserve at Moyenville on 1st July the battalion moved back into the front line and support trenches at Croisilles from 8th July until 1st August. From 1st-9th August there was training at Moyenville as well as working parties at St. Leger prior to another trench tour at Croisilles until 17th. August concluded with training at Hamelincourt and Manin.

In the first two weeks of September there was training, sports and a military gymkhana at Manin. On 16th September the battalion entrained at Savy for Caestre and continued training there and at Fontaine Houck until 25th September. On 26th they moved by bus to a camp on the road between La Clytte and Dickenbusch and immediately marched to Scottish Wood and Bedford House. The battalion moved up to the line on the Ypres-Menin Road near Hooge on 30th September.

On October 1st they moved into reserve in Polygon Wood before being relieved for two days. On 4th October the battalion moved to Zillebeke Lake and consolidated in front of Polygon Wood before moving into the line the following day. On 7th October the battalion was heavily bombarded by the enemy. After being relieved on 8th October the battalion marched to Ouderdom, entrained for Ebblinghem and had two days rest in the Blaringhem area. On 11th they went by bus back to Scottish Wood and between 13th and 22nd October worked on road building and provided carrying parties. The remainder of October was spent firstly in a camp that was a sea of mud, then in reserve at the railway embankment, Zillebeke, and then in support and in the front line. There were quite a few casualties every day.

On 4th November the battalion marched to Zillebeke Lake and then to Brewery Camp, Dickebusch, but returned in reserve to the railway dug outs on 9th and covered the front, support and reserve positions in the line on 11th. On 17th November the battalion began a five-day march to Coupigny and then to Monchy-Breton for training.

On 30th November the battalion received sudden orders to march to Savy and entrain for Tincourt. From there they marched via Buire to Villers-Faucon and on 4th December relieved the 7th Leicesters in the front line at Epehy. Four days later the battalion went into reserve at the railway embankment. Three more trench tours took up the remainder of December with breaks at Villers-Faucon and Saulcourt. In the front line it was bitterly cold, with drifting snow up to four feet in the trenches. The battalion finally enjoyed Christmas dinner on 3rd January 1918.

Back in Divisional Reserve on 4th January the battalion provided working parties for tunnelling and construction of dugouts until 15th January when they moved to a camp at Liéramont. Following another trench tour at Epehy where, amid shelling, extensive patrolling was carried out the battalion completed night work on the village defences.

After two more trench tours the battalion proceeded by march and light railway to Haut-Allaines on 7th February. Here, as well as resting and cleaning up the battalion was reorganised and took part in range firing practice and other training. They also attended a concert by the Soarers. After moving to Don Camp, Moislains, to join their Brigade the men were inspected by Sir Douglas Haig. Further training followed until 18th February when the battalion returned to camp at Lieramont to work on the Green Line at Rue du Quinconce and then on the Yellow Line at Epehy.

From 1st-7th March every available man was employed constructing posts in Epehy and on the Yellow and Red Lines as well as improving village defences under the Royal Engineers. On 16th March a very successful raid was made on the enemy lines. From 17th-20th March the battalion was in support before being ordered to take up battle positions.

On 21st March the Germans opened their Spring Offensive and broke through part of the British line. The British counter-attacked with tanks. On 22nd March the enemy began an intense bombardment and their snipers began to encroach to the rear of part of the British line. The battalion was forced to fight a rear-guard action and then withdraw to Longavesnes where they were heavily shelled.

Between the 23rd and 30th March the battalion was forced into a withdrawal to Ribemont, Heilly and finally to Allonville. Casualties in the battalion between 21st and 30th March numbered 463.

On 1st April the battalion entrained at St. Roch, Amiens, for Hopoutre and travelled by lorry to Wakefield Camp, Locre. From there they moved via Alberta Camp, Westoutre, to Ramilles Camp, Kemmel, for two days of training. After a further two days at De Zon Camp the battalion proceeded by light railway trains to the front near Lambton. Here, on 10th April an enemy plane dropped bombs on the battalion's lines and enemy snipers were very active. In spite of enemy interference the battalion completed wiring work for the Royal Engineers before moving to Zillebeke Lake to work on a new line and establish strongpoints from French Farm to Convent Lane. They also prepared unnecessary bridges for destruction, recaptured Image Wood, and repulsed the enemy from an attack on a post.

On 25th April the enemy launched a hostile bombardment with high explosive and gas shells. One gas shell entered the H.Q. runners' dug out and all runners and signallers were gassed. On 28th April part of the battalion formed a defensive flank from Hazelbury Farm to Iron Bridge and was heavily bombarded by the enemy.

Relieved on 1st May the battalion marched via Watou to the Lederzeele area west of Buysscheure and on 4th May entrained at Wizernes for Lhéry. Training then took place at a camp east of Lagery until 12th May. Between 13th and 15th May the battalion proceeded via Bouvancourt and Hermonville and went into the line between Cauroy and Cormicy. Between 21st and 26th May the battalion was in Divisional reserve at D Camp, Chalons-le-Vergeur.

On 27th May the battalion took part in the 3rd Battle of the Aisne during which the Germans succeeded in pushing the Allies across the Aisne and down as far as the Marne at Chateau Thierry, capturing the towns of Soissons and Fère-en-Tardenois as they did so. This cost the battalion 379 casualties.

After the battle the battalion moved to Etréchy and on 3rd June marched to Courjeonnet. Between 9th and 14th June training took place at Moeurs, after which the battalion moved by lorry, train and bus to Rambures, Somme. The rest of June was spent at Bazinval, in training.

During July the battalion spent some time at Arqéves for training in musketry and tactical schemes and the rest of the month in the front and support lines at Acheux. The first three weeks of August were taken up with a lengthy trench tour west of Hamel and working parties at Englebelmer.

On 21st August the battalion moved to the assembly positions west of Hamel and went into the advance but were compelled to withdraw because of the opposition. Subsequent attacks on the following days were more successful and they followed through Le Sars to Eaucourt l'Abbé despite a hostile counter-attack. On 26th August the battalion moved to Warlencourt in Divisional reserve and two days later into the frontline at Butte de Warlencourt.

On 1st September the battalion took part in an attack of Beaulencourt. Between 4th and 11th September they moved via Villars-au-Flos, Manancourt and Equancourt to Heudecourt where they went into the line on 12th September. On 18th September they took part in an attack at Heudecourt, after which they moved to Etricourt and rested. They then moved to Sord-le-Grand and went into the line in the Gauche Wood sector. On 29th September the enemy attacked but then withdrew and the battalion pursued them to Villers-Guislain.

October began with a break at Gouzeaucourt followed by a trench tour in support at Banteauzelle. The battalion then made a successful attack on the Beauvoir Line before marching to Caullery on 10th October. At Caullery reorganisation and training took place until 21st October. On 23rd October the battalion made another successful attack near Amerval. At the end of October the battalion was in the trenches at Poix-du-Nord.

At the beginning of November the battalion was in billets at Orvillers. On 6th November they crossed the River Sambre at Berlaimont but were initially unable to advance any further because of enemy machine gun fire. Eventually they succeeded in advancing through Bachant before being ordered to withdraw to Berlaimont. On Armistice Day they marched to Beaufort.

The battalion remained at Beaufort for training, parades and sports until 12th December. Between 13th and 16th December they moved via Berlaimont, Vendigies, Inchy and Ferriers to Guignemicourt. Here recreational training and education classes took place until early March 1919.

By the time he was demobbed Alf had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the Military Medal in 1918 and the Croix de Guerre in 1919.

In late 1919 or early 1920 Alf married Florence Alma Hipwell in the Market Bosworth area. Alf and Florence had three children Nora, George and Alfred, all born in Loughborough. In 1939 Alf was employed as a hosier and draper in the Basford area of Nottingham. Alf died, aged 86, in 1982 in Loughborough.

Alf’s medals and Croix de Guerre (with silver star) are in the collection of Leicester Arts & Museum Service.

 
Alfred with his family outside their house in Church Gate, Loughborough.
 

Lance Corporal 569 William Henry White MM

 

23rd Bn (1st Sportsman’s), Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

Died of Wounds, 26th November 1916, Aged 46.

Buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery VIII. D. 187.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29893.
5 January 1917. p. 348.

 

 

 

 

 


Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)

The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) is a silver medal for distinguished service, or for gallantry, principally by non-commissioned officers of all of the British armed forces and of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service.

The Meritorious Service Medal was instituted on 19 December 1845 for the British Army, to recognise meritorious service by non-commissioned officers. Recipients were also granted an annuity, the amount of which was based on rank.

During 1916–1919, army NCOs could be awarded the medal immediately for meritorious service in the field. They could also be awarded the medal for acts of non-combat gallantry.

The medal for Royal Marines was instituted in 1849, for gallantry or for distinguished service. As a gallantry medal, it was superseded by the Naval Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. As with the Army, during 1916–1919 NCOs of the Royal Marines could be awarded the medal in the field.

The Royal Air Force version of the medal was instituted in 1918, for meritorious service not involving flight.

 

 



Acting Warrant Officer Class 2, 48334
Frank Archibald Chester MSM

 

Royal Engineers.

The London Gazette. Supplement 31132. 17 January 1919. p. 979.

 


Frank Archibald Chester was born in Loughborough on 26th March 1891. He was the son of Frank Chester and his wife Annie (née Basford) who were married at Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough, on 20th September 1890. Frank Archibald had one sister Emily, known as ‘Sissie’.

Frank Archibald’s father was a carpenter and joiner for Messenger and Company. When Frank Archibald was born the family lived at 23 School Street, Loughborough. They later moved to 17 Paget Street and then to 10 Heathcote Street. In 1911 Frank Archibald, aged 19, was a pattern maker at an engineering works.

Frank Archibald enlisted on 7th September 1914 and joined the Royal Engineers as Sapper 48334. On 2nd October 1914 he was transferred to the 85th (Field) Company. After initial training at Coddington, near Newark, Nottinghamshire, the 85th Coy joined the 10th (Irish) Division of the Army which was mustering at the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare, where training in Brigade strength began.

On 2nd February Frank was promoted to Lance Corporal and on 23rd April to Corporal. In May 1915 the Division moved to England and concentrated around Basingstoke. It was inspected by Lord Kitchener at Hackwood Park on 28th/29th May. On 27th June, the Division received orders to prepare for service at Gallipoli.

Divisional HQ embarked at Liverpool on 9th July, and by the end of the month most units had assembled on Lemnos. On 6th-7th August 1915 the Division landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, less 29th Brigade which went to ANZAC Cove. The main body made an attack on Chocolate Hill 7th/8th August. Parts of 29th Brigade took part in actions on Sari Bair 6th-10th August and at Hill 60 later that month.

On 22nd August Frank was admitted to 1/3 Field Ambulance and then to No. 26 Casualty Clearing Station, Suvla Bay, with dysentery. On 29th August he was put on board the hospital ship HS Neuralia and invalided home via Malta. He was transferred to the 1st Scottish General Hospital, Aberdeen, and subsequently to the Royal Edinburgh Infirmary.

On 23rd September 1915 Frank was transferred to No. 6 Depot Company, part of the Royal Engineers Training Depot, Coddington. On 16th March 1916 he was posted to the 10th Bridging Train at Aldershot. On 17th May he was appointed Acting Sergeant attending 647 Machine Transport Company (Army Service Corps) with the 10th Bridging Train, but two days later he was deprived of his Acting rank. On 7th July 1916 he was sent to France.

On 9th October 1916 Frank was posted to the 197th Land Drainage Company and he joined the unit from the 10th Pontoon Park. On 5th April 1917 he was given additional (unspecified) status. He then joined 350 Electrical and Mechanical Company until 8th September when he moved to the First Army Workshops.

In July 1918 Frank was given two weeks leave to the UK and on 6th August he married Alice Maude Porter by special licence in Loughborough.

On 29th August 1918 Frank moved to No. 41 Coy, Army Workshops and was promoted to Sergeant.

On 26th January 1919 he was appointed Acting Warrant Officer Class 2 and Acting Company Sergeant Major. In January 1919 he was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Frank was demobbed on 15th June 1919.

In 1939 Frank and Alice were living at 42 Newminster Road, Newcastle upon Tyne and Frank was employed as a superintendent at an engineering works. Frank died in Brighton, Sussex, in 1971, aged 83.

Major Charles Sydney Collison MSM MiD

 

Indian Army Service Corps.

Previously Sergeant Major T/Mech/26572 Royal Army Service Corps.

(MSM) The London Gazette. Supplement 31373. 30 May 1919. p. 6956.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 30404. 28 November 1917. p.12486.

 


Charles Sydney Collison was born on 28th May 1888 in Edinburgh. He was the son of James Arthur Collison and his wife Mary Ann (née Seaman) who were married on 11th September 1867 at Christ Church, Great Warley, Essex. Charles had seven brothers Arthur, James, Edward, Henry, Lawrence, William and Herbert and two sisters Mary and Florence. By 1911, however, four of his siblings had died.

Charles’s father was a master gunner with the Royal Artillery who, after he left the Army, became an insurance agent. Within two years of Charles’s parents’ marriage the Collison family was in Jhansi, Bengal, India. By 1872 they were in Ferozepore and by 1875 in Morah. By 1881 they had returned to England and were living in married quarters at Fort Brockhurst, Gosport, Hampshire. By 1888 they had moved again to 7 Ivy Terrace, Edinburgh. By 1901 Charles’s father, having reached the rank of Warrant Officer, had left the Army and they were back in Fareham, Hampshire, at Elmore House.

Charles was educated at Westmoreland Society’s School and then at Portsmouth Technical Institute. In 1905 he was apprenticed for one year at Fareham Urban District Council’s Electricity Works. Between 1906 and 1907 he was Assistant Shift Engineer at Loughborough Corporation Electricity Works.

In 1908 Charles joined the Army. He was posted to the Army Service Corps (ASC) Mechanical Transport Section as T/Mech/26572.

On 18th April 1911, while a Corporal and stationed at the Curragh Camp, Ireland, Charles married Beatrice May Barton Hanford at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough.

Charles went to France on 16th August 1914.

The officers and men of the ASC – sometimes referred to in a joking, disparaging way as Ally Sloper’s Cavalry – were the unsung heroes of the British Army in the Great War. Soldiers could not fight without food, equipment and ammunition. They could not move without horses or vehicles. It was the ASC’s job to provide them.

All Mechanical Transport Companies were part of the Lines of Communication and were not under orders of a Division, although some (unusually known as Divisional Supply Columns and Divisional Ammunition Parks) were in effect attached to a given Division and worked closely with it. Those in the Lines of Communication operated in wide variety of roles, such as being attached to the heavy artillery as Ammunition Columns or Parks, being Omnibus Companies, Motor Ambulance Convoys, or Bridging and Pontoon units.

By 1915 Charles had become a Mechanist Sergeant Major and was responsible for organising and running a Machine Transport Workshop comprising 4 Mobile Workshops and 72 Artificers. By 1918 he was responsible for the construction and layout of a Field Workshop with subsequent output of complete overhauls to 8 three ton vehicles per month and running repairs and maintenance of 108 three ton vehicles.

On 24th November 1915 he was admitted to the Windrush Freemasons’ Lodge, Witney, Oxfordshire.

In 1917 Charles, now an Acting Mechanical Sergeant Major, was Mentioned in Despatches. In 1919 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

After the war, from 1920-1922 Charles was an instructor in electricity and mechanical transport and responsible for training Royal Army Service Corps artificers at the Training College, Aldershot. In 1923 he was posted to India and between then and 1930 he held various workshop appointments in the Indian Army Service Corps. Charles’s wife Beatrice went with him to India.

In 1927 Charles was commissioned as a Mechanist Officer with the Indian Army Service Corps and became the Assistant Workshop Officer at the Heavy Repair Shop (Mechanical Transport) at Chaklala, Punjab. In early 1930 he was promoted to the rank of Captain and in July 1930, now promoted to Major, posted to the Heavy Repair Shop (Mechanical Transport) in Quetta. He was now the Officer in Charge of the Test Station, responsible to the Officer in charge of Workshops for organising departmental testing of all vehicles in the Western Command which were overhauled in the Heavy Repair Shop, Quetta.

Charles and his wife remained in India until the mid-1940s, returning to England on several occasions.

In retirement Charles lived at 7 Rotherfield Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hampshire. He died on 23rd March 1971, aged 82.

Quarter Master Sergeant 51623 Henry Tyler MSM

 

8th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry).

Previously 2114 Leicestershire Yeomanry.

The London Gazette. Issue 31370. 30 May 1919. p. 6894.

 


Henry Tyler was born on 1st April 1880 in Loughborough and baptised at All Saints Church, Loughborough, on 18th July 1880. He was the son of William Tyler and his wife Betsy (née North) who were married at All Saints Church, Loughborough, on 20th January 1880. Henry had two brothers William and Ambrose and one sister Alice.

When Henry was born his father was the landlord of the Half Moon pub at 21 Pinfold Street but by 1891 the family had moved to 2 Duke Street and Henry’s father had joined Henry’s grandfather in the butchery business.

After Henry’s father unfortunately died, aged 41, in 1900 Henry’s mother moved with Henry, Alice and Ambrose to 8 Shakespeare Street. Henry, now aged 21, was a van man for a laundry. He was also, according to trade directories, landlord of the Black Lion pub in The Rushes, a position he held until at least 1912.

In 1904 Henry married Eliza Gaskin in Loughborough and Henry and Eliza set up a laundry business, the Western Laundry, at 4 Derby Road. By 1911 Henry and Eliza had a daughter Winifred and a son William and the family was living at 4 Derby Road with Henry’s mother, his sister Alice and his brother Ambrose.

When war broke out Henry was on holiday with his wife and two children in Skegness. Determined to get back as quickly as possible he loaded his family onto his pony and trap and completed the 80 mile journey back in a single day; although his horse Nancy took several days to recover.

Henry joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry as Private 2114. The 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry was mobilised on 5th August 1914 and billeted in the village of Palgrave, Suffolk, until 1st November 1914. On 2nd November they entrained at Diss with the horses and travelled to Southampton Docks. They sailed for France, arriving at Le Havre the following day, and proceeded to No. 2 Rest Camp. On 4th November they entrained for St. Omer and marched to Esquerdes where they remained for four days to carry out bayonet and entrenching exercises.

On 11th November they marched to Eecke to join the 3rd Cavalry Division and on the following day proceeded via Poperinghe to Bellewaarde Farm on the Hooge Road east of Ypres. Here they joined the 7th Cavalry Brigade and were sent to the support and reserve trenches. On 16th they moved to billets in Ypres where they were heavily shelled. From 17th - 21st November A and C Squadrons were in the advance, support and reserve trenches east of Zillebeeke and B Squadron was in dugouts near the Menin-Ypres road. From 22nd November to 4th December they were at St. Sylvestre near Caestre refitting and exercising while being on duty in General reserve.

On 3rd December the Yeomanry paraded with the 7th Cavalry Brigade for an inspection by His Majesty the King. From 7th -17th December they were based at Oxlaere and then Berthen for drill and entrenching practice while again being in General reserve. On 18th December they moved to an area south of Hondeghem and the Caestre road. Here classes for reserve stretcher bearers and machine gunners took place. On 22nd December they moved to La Brearde where they remained until 2nd February 1915 for training in an advanced guard scheme, hand grenade and entrenching instruction, route marches and inspections.

On 3rd February they were transported by bus to Ypres and marched to Zillebeke where they took over the front line trenches. They spent several days draining and improving the trenches amid enemy sniping. Relieved on 8th February they moved to billets in Ypres as part of the General reserve. On 11th February there was heavy shelling near their billets and on the following day they moved by bus back to La Brearde. Training took place there until 11th April.

On 12th April they moved to Renescure and on 23rd April marched via Abeele to Godewaersvelde. On 24th they proceeded to Vlamertinghe before moving at night to Reninghelst. On 25th and 26th April they moved via Poperinghe and Watou to Forge, where they left the horses, and returned to Vlamertinghe. On 27th they were shelled out of their huts and bivouacked in a field. On 28th they moved to Abeele and over the next three days met up with the Brigade at Forge.

In early May they left the horses at Vlamertinghe and marched to Hazebrouck before going by bus to Brielen near Ypres. On 12th May, as dismounted infantry, they took over the trenches north of the railway near Bellewaarde Farm and immediately became involved in the Battle of Frezenberg Ridge (otherwise called the 2nd Battle of Ypres). During this battle on 12th and 13th May the Leicestershire Yeomanry suffered 186 casualties.

Throughout May, June and July 1915 the Yeomanry remained in Wittes, Ypres, providing working parties for digging trenches at Neuve Eglise, Sailly-sur-la-Lys and Elverdinghe. On 6th August they moved to new billets in villages near Hervarre while they dug trenches at Armentières, and on 29th September moved on again to Le Nieppe. In mid-October they moved to Noordpeene and then Fruges. Early November was spent digging trenches at Lynde, Ouderdom, Zillebeeke lake and north of Bielen. From there they moved to Wicquinghem on November 16th and dug trenches at Ebblinghem and Lynde. The 1/1st Yeomanry remained at Wicquinghem until 14th March 1916.

From then until 6th May 1916 the Leicestershire Yeomanry was in billets at Herly and Rollez before moving to Bourthes. From 15th to 20th May they were in training at Neuilly l'Hôpital, returning afterwards to Bourthes until 24th June. Between 24th June and 4th July the regiment transferred via Crécy en Ponthieu, Berteaucourt-les-Dames and Corbie to Fontaine-sur-Somme, where on 5th July they were sent to clear the battlefield. From 8th July to 1st August and back at Corbie they provided working parties to mend the roads at Henencourt and to clear the battlefield at Bécourt. The first five days of August were spent moving back to Bourthes where they remained until 11th September, providing working parties and sniping parties. From 11th September the regiment was continually on the march, which ended when squadrons moved into billets at Lebiez, Torcy and Rimboval in the Pas de Calais on 24th September. Here a group of 8 Officers and 256 Ordinary Ranks proceeded to form part of the 7th Cavalry Pioneer Battalion.

In October 1916 Henry was transferred to the 8th Squadron of the Machine Gun Corps (in the 8th Cavalry Brigade of the 3rd Cavalry Division) as Private 51623.

On 1st October 1916 the 8th Squadron was in billets at Plumoison, Pas de Calais. On 4th October the horses were put under cover and the squadron occupied the villages of Bouin, Plumoison and Marconnelle. On 25th October the squadron moved into winter billets at Offin and Loison-sur-Crequoise. On 18th and 20th December the horses and squadron were inspected, and on 22nd they marched to new billets at Verton. During November and December the squadron underwent training in horse management and dieting, together with gun classes and range finding.

During January 1917 training continued on the sand north of Berck-sur-Mer, with practice in indirect and long range searching fire. On 2nd February the squadron marched to new billets at Crequy. On 15th February a trench party of twelve guns proceeded to Gouy-Servins to be attached to the 11th Canadian Machine Gun Company until 2nd March. On 17th March the squadron took part in a Brigade scheme between Crequy and Avondance and aeroplane control patrols were also practised.

On 5th April the squadron marched to Hesmond and on 7th April via Canche Valley to Frévent. On 8th they proceeded to Gouy-en-Artois where their Division was concentrating.

On 9th April the Division moved forward to the racecourse west of Arras and the squadron was divided, Section 3 going to the 10th Royal Hussars, Section 5 to the Essex Yeomanry and the rest in Brigade reserve with the Royal Horse Guards. The Brigade then moved forward through Arras and bivouacked north of Tilloy-les-Mofflaines. Sections 3-6 then moved to Orange Hill while the Royal Horse Guards with Sections 1 and 2 halted west of the Feuchy-Feuchy Chapel road. Later that day the two leading regiments and machine gun sections withdrew to the Feuchy road.

On 11th April, following an infantry attack the 10th Royal Hussars with Sections 3 and 4 and the Essex Yeomanry with Sections 5 and 6 moved on Monchy-le-Preux and were in action all day. The Royal Horse Guards came under heavy shellfire. Casualties numbered 40 men and 97 horses.

After concentrating near Arras the Brigade then marched to Gouy-en-Artois and between 17th and 19th April marched via Occoches to Capelle, south-west of Hesdin. Between 3rd and 19th May the squadron moved again via Lespinoy, Willencourt, Frohen-le-Petit, Wargnies, and St. Gratien to Hamel and bivouacked ouside Courcelles and Buire.

On 20th May No. 2 section proceeded to a point north of Marquaix to form an anti-aircraft station to protect the Divisional railhead at Tincourt. The squadron also provided another anti-aircraft station between Buire and Courcelles. The squadron then took part in a scheme for dismounted counter-attack with the 8th Cavalry Brigade.

Between 1st and 20th June the squadron was in action firing from the Epéhy sub-sector of the line, with six teams operating at Villers-Faucon. Between 2nd and 17th July they moved via Suzanne, Heilly, Amplier, Estrée-Wamin and Valhuon to Plaine Haute north of Thiennes. Here the horses were inspected and preliminary judging took place for the Divisional horse show.

In August the squadron moved to Houleron and Berguette and the horse show took place at Busnes Chateau. During August there were numerous air raids by the enemy and a gun was mounted at Berguette for protection. On 1st September there was the Cavalry Corps horse show at Ramecourt. The squadron then moved to new billets at Ham-en-Artois and took part in a Brigade scheme against the 7th Cavalry Brigade.

During October and November the Division concentrated in the area of St. Venant before moving via Frevent, Vignacourt and Flesselles to Bray. On 1st December they proceeded by lorry to Bernes and moved into the Le Verguier sector of the line, with the squadron placed at Pieumel Wood. They remained in this area until nearly the end of January 1918.

On 28th January a move began to Meraucourt and during February the squadron provided working parties for trench digging near Jeancourt and Hesbecourt and for building anti-bomb walls around the aerodrome at Flez. On 9th March the squadron camp at Meraucourt was bombed by enemy aeroplanes, causing some casualties.

News was then received that the squadron was to be transferred to the 7th Cavalry Brigade and eight guns moved to Roisel until 14th March. On 17th March the squadron moved to Brie and the men camped in huts north-east of St. Christ. After marching to Cugny on 21st, they moved to Villequier-Aumont and bivouacked in Frières Wood. Guns were then placed to stop the enemy crossing the St. Quentin Canal.

On 23rd March, as part of their Spring Offensive, the enemy attacked and Frières Wood was heavily shelled. After the enemy advanced and surrounded the wood the squadron was ordered to retire through Villequier-Aumont which was also being shelled. They eventually reached Ugny-le-Gay.

On 24th March the retreat was resumed via Caillouel to Dampcourt. On 25th March the squadron was ordered to help hold Appilly village and the bridge over the River Oise, and then to cover the Oise bridges north of Manicamp. Later that day another withdrawal was ordered through Bretigny to Carlepont. On 26th March detachments were sent to Sempigny and Pontoise but the guns were not used. On 27th they moved to Choisy-au-Bac and between 29th and 31st March proceeded north via Avrechy to Sains-en-Amienois.

On 1st April the brigade marched to Gentelles Wood with one section sent to Rifle Wood and one to Hourges. On the night of the 1st/2nd April they were relieved and moved to a small wood on the Boves-Blangy-Tronville road. Between 4th and 30th April the squadron was constantly on the move via Villers-Bretonneaux, Lamotte-Brebière, Troisvaux, St. Venant and Floringhem to Fiefs.

From then onwards the war diary of the squadron has been lost. It is known, however, that the squadron took part in the Battle of Amiens (8th August 1918) and the battles of the Hindenburg Line, the Battle of Cambrai (8th and 9th October) and the Pursuit to the Selle (9th–12th October). From 4th November, the Cavalry were involved at the Canal de Sambre over the River Scheldt. Its final action was in the Advance in Flanders (9th–11th November).

At the Armistice, units of the division had reached the River Dender at Leuze and Lessines in Belgium, when orders were received that they would cover the advance of the Second Army into Germany. They started the advance on 17th November, divisional headquarters being established at Waterloo on 21st November. Transport difficulties meant that the only one cavalry division could advance with Second Army so the following winter was spent in Belgium. By 31st March 1919, the division was demobilized.

Henry was demobilised on 25th February 1919, having attained the rank of Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant and he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

In 1938 the Western Laundry moved further along the Derby Road in Loughborough and in 1939 Henry and his wife and their unmarried daughter Winifred were living away from the premises at 139 Ashby Road.

Henry died on 9th February 1964 in Leicester, aged 83.

Company Sergeant Major 101401 Albert Warren MSM

 

170th Labour Coy, Labour Corps.

Previously Company Sergeant Major 46635, 13th (Works Battalion) Devonshire Regiment, Company Sergeant Major 25471,12th (Labour Battalion), Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, 2765 9th Bn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 4627 1st and 2nd Bns, Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment).

The London Gazette. Supplement 31132.
17 January 1919. p. 999.

 

 


Albert Warren was born in the Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, on 11th November 1875. He was the son of Henry Edward Warren and his wife Louisa (née Ward) who were married at St. George’s Church, Leicester, on 27th November 1864. Albert had three brothers Henry Edward Junior, John and Thomas and three sisters Lucy, Mabel and Louisa. Two other siblings died young and his sister Louisa died, aged 20, in 1910.

Albert’s father was a coachbuilder and a member of a well-established coach-making family in Loughborough. Between 1864 and 1881, however, he was travelling in search of work, including to Leicester and Newport Pagnell. By 1881 the family had returned to Loughborough and were living at 33 Russell Street. It is possible that Albert’s father returned to the town to work again in the family business.

By 1891 the family had moved to Hartington Street and Albert was 15 and working as a dyer’s trimmer for George Godkin of Meadow Lane, Loughborough. His older brothers Henry Junior and John had already left home, John having joined the army. On 8th November 1892 Albert enlisted at Leicester and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 4627. He remained with the Leicesters for just 49 days before he was transferred to the Derbyshire Regiment as Private 4013 on 31st January 1893.

Following a period of basic training, Albert was posted to the 2nd Battalion in North India. In 1894 they had just moved from Umballa (now Ambala) to Solon (now Solan) in Himachal Pradesh. This was a regular posting undertaken by many British Army regiments but it was against a background of continuing unrest on India's North West Frontier with Afghanistan. During this period the 2nd Derbyshires took part in the Tirah Expedition and the attack on the Dargai Heights. Albert is recorded as being wounded in the Bazar Valley on the Indian North west Frontier on 26th December 1897.

In April 1898 the battalion moved again, this time to Sitapore (now Sitapur) in Uttar Pradesh and prepared to depart for Aden. Albert’s service in India entitled him to the General Service Medal with clasps for the Punjab Frontier and Tirah.

After a brief spell in Aden the battalion moved to Malta, arriving on 25th October 1899, and went straight into quarantine until disinfected at the Lazaretto. By 1st July 1900 the total strength was 884 men, stationed at Mtarfa Barracks.

The battalion moved back to Britain from Malta in 1902, bur just prior to this a draft of soldiers from the 2nd Battalion was transferred to the 1st Battalion arriving at Rustenburg, South Africa on 8th April 1902. Amongst this draft was Private 4013 Albert Warren. Albert played his part in the final stages of the Boer War before its conclusion that year. He was involved long enough to qualify for the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for 1902, Transvaal and Cape Colony. Family folklore also has it that around this time Albert was also regimental mascot handler. As the Boer War drew to a close what was now known officially as the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) embarked ship for Hong Kong.

The Sherwood Foresters were sent into China to carry out mopping up exercises and secure strategic objectives around Tien-Tsin and Peking in the wake of the Boxer Rebellion. Two companies were stationed at the British Legation in Peking and two at Tien-Tsin. A special force was also sent to Wei-Hai-Wei, a port on the Chinese coast.

In November 1904 the battalion was on the move again, leaving Taku Bar on their way to Singapore. About 1000 Sherwood Foresters arrived in Singapore on the Avoca on 12th December 1904 for their tour of duty. It is possible that Albert never landed in Singapore as his period of enlistment expired on 30 January 1905 and it is likely that he sailed directly to Britain.

Having completed the standard enlistment period of 12 years Albert returned to civilian life in January 1905 and by 1911 he was living with his brother Henry and his family in Harnell Lane, Coventry. He is described as a stoker ant the Coventry Corporation Refuse Works.

Eight days after the outbreak of the First World War Albert reenlisted in Coventry. He joined the 9th Royal Warwickshire Regiment as Private 2765. The 9th Royal Warwicks were formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and they moved from Warwick to assemble on Salisbury Plain for basic training at Tidworth. They joined the 39th Brigade of the 13th (Western) Division. Within eight weeks, on 12th October, Albert was appointed Lance Corporal.

In January 1914 the battalion moved to Basingstoke to continue their preparations for overseas posting and on 15th February Albert was promoted again to Lance Sergeant. Towards the end of February 1915 the Western Division concentrated at Blackdown (Aldershot) in Hampshire. In March Albert was promoted to Sergeant.

On 17th and 18th June 1915 the 9th Royal Warwicks left Blackdown for Frimley station and entrained for Avonmouth Docks where they embarked on H.M.T. Royal Edward for Gallipoli as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

The battalion first landed at Alexandria before moving to Mudros. They reached Mudros, on the island of Lemnos, on 9th July 1915. Four days later they landed on 'V' Beach near Cape Helles, Gallipoli. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August 1915. They were in action in the Battle of Sari Bair, the Battle of Russell's Top and the Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. Albert, now a Company Sergeant Major, was wounded in the knee at Suvla Bay in October 1915 and was sent back to Britain.

On 20th November 1915 Albert was posted to the Depot. Four months later, on 17th March 1916 Albert was posted to the 3rd Royal Warwickshire Regiment (a training battalion) on the Isle of Wight. On 24th March 1916 Albert was re-posted to the 12th (Labour Battalion) of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (DCLI) as Company Sergeant Major 25471.

The 12th Battalion was newly formed and it is possible that Albert played a part in raising the battalion and preparing them for overseas service. There was not much time as the battalion was earmarked for the new offensive in the Somme and they arrived in France on 6th May 1916. Little is known about the 12th DCLI except that they were at Fricourt on 8th July.

During the summer of 1916 Albert was hospitalised for a second time in Rouen. before being posted back to Britain on 15th October 1916. He was transferred again on 16th November 1916 to the 13th (Works Battalion) of the Devonshire Regiment as Company Sergeant Major 46635. The 13th Devons was a new battalion formed in Saltash in June 1916 and eventually moved to Plymouth. In April 1917 it became 3rd Labour Battalion before becoming one of the units amalgamated into the newly formed Labour Corps. The Labour Corps, initially a non-combatant organisation, was formed in April 1917 absorbing the earlier infantry labour battalions and labour companies from the Royal Engineers and Army Service Corps.

Albert returned to France as a member of the Labour Corps and served as Company Sergeant Major 101401 of the 170th Labour Company. In 1917 the company was operating in the areas of Duisans, erecting ammo sheds at Fosseux, and working on road construction at St, Laurent and Blagny. In 1918 the company was at Wahnonlieu and Beaurains with the Canadian Corps, and also at Gavrelle, Arras, Flines and Coutiches. When the Armistice was declared they were in Orchies. They then moved to Hergnies, St. Amand and finally to Douai.

In January 1919 Albert was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal 'in recognition of valuable service rendered with the Armies in France and Flanders'.

Albert finally returned to civilian life on 8th March 1919 and for several years lived with his mother at 3 Park Road, Loughborough. He appears to have remained single. In 1939 he was back in Coventry, lodging at 2 Pridmore Road, and working as a corporation stoker at the destructor works. Albert died in Coventry in 1955, aged 81.



9th Royal Warwicks Sergeants' Mess, 1915
(Albert in third row, third from left)



Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant 22809
Arthur Joseph Young MSM

 

15th Bn, Machine Gun Corps.

Previously 46th Machine Gun Company and 2163 1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

The London Gazette. Supplement 31602. 14 October 1919. p. 12755.

 


Arthur Joseph Young was born on 15th April 1894 in Loughborough and baptised on 9th May 1894 at All Saints Church, Loughborough. He was the son of Benjamin George Young and his wife Annie Maria (née Wood) who were married at St. Helen’s Church, Trowell, Nottinghamshire, on 19th July 1883. Arthur had four brothers William, Arnold, Benjamin Junior and Charles.

Arthur’s father was a brewer’s agent, selling ale and porter, and the family lived at 25 Derby Road, Loughborough. In 1911 Arthur, aged 16, was an engineering apprentice. Arthur’s parents later moved to 42 Ashby Square.

When the war broke out in 1914 Arthur enlisted and joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 2163. His precise date of enlistment is unknown as his service papers have not survived.

The 5th Leicesters spent several months in training at Bishops Stortford and Luton to practise marching and night work. On 25th February 1915 they were ordered to entrain at Harlow for Southampton. They landed at Le Havre two days later. They went by train to St. Omer, and then marched to Hardifort. The battalion spent the first few months in France in the Armentières sector, training and doing tours in the trenches. They were held in reserve at Strazeele and Sailly-sur-la-Lys for the Battle of Neuve Chapelle but were not required to take part.

In June they moved to the Ypres Salient, firstly to Locre and Kemmel and then near Zillebeke and Ouderdom where they remained until the beginning of October when they were ordered to move to Hesdigneul. On 12th October 1915 the battalion travelled to the Hohenzollern Redoubt, arriving in Vermelles at 10.00pm. They spent the next eight hours in communication trenches. On 13th October 1915 during the attack on the Redoubt, part of the final stages of the Battle of Loos, the 1/5th Battalion was in reserve until just after midday, when they 'went over the top' and came under intense machine gun fire. Further moves followed to La Couture in November and Merville and Thienne in December.

Arthur is known to have been posted to the 46th Machine Gun Company and renumbered as Private 22809 but the date when he transferred is unknown. In late 1915 and early 1916 the 46th Machine Gun Company was in training at Harrowby Camp, Grantham, Lincolnshire.

On 7th February 1916 the company entrained at Grantham for Southampton. On 8th February they sailed on the SS Courtfield and the SS Lydia for Le Havre and marched to No. 5 Rest Camp. On 11th they entrained at Le Havre for Noeux-les-Mines and marched to Mazingarbe. After four days digging in the reserve trenches 36 men proceeded to the guns in the front line. On 25th February the company moved to Gosnay to dig emplacements until the end of the month.

For the first two weeks of March the company was firing at Mazingarbe. After three days training at Gosnay the company then returned to the firing line in the Hulluch sector before another four days of training at Gosnay. During April they were firing near Mazingarbe until 9th and then went by bus to Raimbert until 23rd. On 24th April they proceeded to Vermelles and went into the Hohenzollern sector where they experienced severe enemy gas attacks.

In May, after a week’s training at Béthune they were firing at Noyelles. In June and until 13th July they were firing in the Hohenzollern and Hulluch sectors, with a break at Noyelles and Béthune. In late July they moved via Marles-les-Mines and Berneuil to Flesselles for training until 3rd August. On 4th August they began a march to Bazentin-le-Petit and between 7th and 19th August were in action at Fricourt in the Somme Offensive. At the end of August, after a break at Albert, they returned to the line at High Wood and Bazentin-le-Petit.

Relieved from the front line on 5th September they spent the rest of the month in support at Lonely Trench, Fricourt, in the line at Contalmaison and training at Lahoussoye. Training continued at Albert until 8th October when they returned to Lonely Trench at Fricourt. On 14th October they went into the front line at Martinpuich and south of Le Sars before returning to Fricourt until the end of the month.

In November, after a few days in billets at Millencourt, the company was in action at Henencourt Wood. Between 15th and 26th November they were in training at Naours and then marched to Warloy to carry out work until the end of the month. Further training took place at Becourt Wood until 14th December when part of the company returned to the line at Martinpuich and the rest stayed at Pioneer Camp. Christmas was spent at Shelter Wood Camp after which the company took over the line north-west of Le Sars until the end of January 1917, with inter-section reliefs.

The first three weeks of February were taken up with training at Warloy and Villers-Sir-Simon, after which the company went into the line near Arras. Further training took place at Noyellette and Gouy-en-Ternois in March, followed by another trench tour near Arras. In early April the company was at Duisans and in cellars in Arras before they took part in the Battle of Arras which began on 9th April. May and the first two weeks of June were spent in training at Fosseux and Aravesnes.

On 15th June the company entrained at Frevent for Hopoutre and marched to camp at Brandhoek-Vlamertinghe. On 19th June they moved to Ypres and went into the line with 10 guns in front and support until 29th June. During July there was training at Watou and Buysscheure and two front-line tours. On the night of 29th/30th July the company moved to battle positions in preparation for the opening of the Passchendaele Offensive.

On 4th August the company was relieved and moved to Kiekenhut near Winnezeele for training until 8th August. On 16th August the company marched to Abeele and entrained for Kruisstraat and then went into the line near Frezenburg Redoubt. Here they participated in four days of heavy bombardment. After a short break at Toronto Camp they returned to action until 28th August.

On 1st September they marched to Cassel station, entrained for Arras and marched to Duisans for training. On 7th September they took over 12 guns in the line and remained in the line until 23rd September, with inter-section reliefs. Most of October and November was spent in the line with a break at Wilderness Camp and one week’s training at Arras. On 1st December the company entered the Battle of Cambrai and spent most of the rest of the month in the line.

On 2nd January 1918 the company marched to Berneville and was in training for the rest of the month. On 6th February they marched to Arras and spent the rest of the month in the line.

Diary entries for the first part of March have been lost but on 17th March the 46th Machine Gun Company became part of No. 15 Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps. On 21st March the German Spring Offensive began. The battalion became involved in severe fighting on 28th March and was eventually ordered to withdraw to Duisans and then to Warlus. The enemy, however, was in pursuit and by 29th March the battalion had suffered 294 casualties.

In April some companies were in the line and others in reserve, with inter-company reliefs. On 24th April the battalion entrained for Raimbert and marched to Hurionville where training took place until 2nd May. On 4th May A and B Coys moved into the the line while C and D Coys went by train to Maroeuil and then into the line. The companies remained in these locations until 14th July with single and then inter-company reliefs.

On 16th and 17th July the battalion moved via Aubigny to Liancourt. On 19th July the battalion, except for one coy which remained at Torsly, proceeded to a wood near Haute Fontaine. On 23rd the battalion was ordered to move to the front and fire on Noyant. On 24th the battalion was hit by constant enemy shelling. The battalion was then in action supporting one attack on the enemy which lasted several days and preparing for another attack to capture the Bois de Hartennes at the beginning of August.

On 3rd August the battalion was ordered to move to Viviers and on 4th went by bus to Liancourt. On 6th and 7th August the battalion travelled by train to Ambrines. After a rest two companies marched to Berneville and two marched to Herneville and entrained for Wailly. One company and two sections went into the line and the rest remained in reserve at Dainville. Ground recently gained was then consolidated. At the end of August the battalion went into the line near Braquemont.

During September the battalion supported the infantry as they pushed forward and forced the enemy into continued retreat. By the beginning of October the battalion was holding the Hulluch-La Bassée line. By 6th October Battalion HQ was at Mazingarbe. By 13th October the battalion was positioned near the canal at Annay and on 15th Battalion HQ moved to Loos. Two days later HQ moved to Mines d’Ostricourt. The advance continued and by the beginning of November the battalion’s guns were at Guignies, Chateau Lannoy, Bruyelle and Jollain-Merlin. When the Armistice was declared the battalion was in the area of Bétissart and Chievres, both in Belgium.

On 22nd November HQ and two companies moved to Gages and two companies to Cambron-Castenau. On 4th December the two companies at Cambron-Castenau moved to Brugelette and Gibecq. A programme of education, physical training and ceremonial drill was now begun. On 16th December the battalion marched to Braine-le-Compte. Demobilisation began in mid-December and was completed by the end of March 1919.

By 1918 Arthur had attained the rank of Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant (Warrant Officer Class II) and in 1919 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

After the war Arthur returned to Loughborough and on 16th December 1923 he married Kate Mary Toder Carter at St. Faith’s Church, North Wilford, Nottinghamshire. Arthur and Kate had at least one son, John, who was born in Loughborough in 1929. In 1939 the family was living at 28 Colgrove Road, Loughborough, and Arthur was working as a manager for an electrical heating appliances company. Arthur died on 5th December 1956 in a nursing home in Loughborough, aged 62.

 


Mentioned in Despatches (MiD)

To be "Mentioned in Despatches" is when an individual is mentioned by name and commended for having carried out an noteworthy act of gallantry or service. A Despatch is an official report written by the senior commander of an army in the field. It would give details of the conduct of the military operations being carried out. From the time of the Boer War the Despatches were published in the London Gazette in full or in part.

In 1919 Army Order 166/1919 confirmed that individuals "Mentioned in Despatches" would receive a certificate. This included personnel of the British Navy, Army and Air Force, and Indian Dominion, Colonial, Egyptian Forces and members of the Red Cross, Y.MCA., Y.W.C.A. and British civilians male and female.

 


Sergeant 21688 George Harold Bright MiD

 

11th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Died of Wounds 18th August 1916, Aged 24.

Buried Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery I. D. 1.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29890. 2 January 1917. p. 225.

 

Lieutenant David Sonnie Dewar MiD

 

14th Bn, Machine Gun Corps.

Previously the 43rd Machine Gun Company and the 11th (Service) Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

Killed in Action 22nd March 1918, Aged 24.                   

The London Gazette. Supplement 30704. 24 May 1918. p. 6165.

 

Captain (Brigade Major)
James Frederick Lorimer Fison MC MiD

 

1/4th Bn, Suffolk Regiment.

Died at Home of Pneumonia, 2nd November 1917, Aged 27.

Buried St. Peter’s Churchyard, Stutton, Suffolk.

(MC) The Edinburgh Gazette. Issue 12955.
26 June 1916. p. 1154

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 30072.
15 May 1917. p. 4747.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 304217.
December 1917. p. 12913.

 


MC Citation

'For conspicuous gallantry. When the enemy exploded a mine he led a bombing party over the parapet, bombed the enemy right out of the crater, and held them till the near lip was consolidated. He also patrolled beyond the crater to find out where the enemy were.'


 


Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.


Captain John Severn Fuller MiD

 

Royal Field Artillery.

Died 15th March 1919, Aged 23.

Buried Happy Valley Cemetery, Hong Kong, 17 a 8343.

The London Gazette. Supplement 31728. 9 January 1920. p. 513.

 

Lieutenant William Gathorne Hardy MiD

 

3rd Bn, Canadian Engineers.

Previously 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company, Canadian Engineers and Private 2266 2nd Canadian Sanitary Section.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30107. 1 June 1917. p. 5425.

 

William Gathorne Hardy was born on 28th September 1888 at Church Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire, and baptised on 25th October 1888 at the St. Editha’s Church, Tamworth. He was the son of Samuel Hardy, a grocer, and his wife Susannah Lavinia Gaunt who were married at All Saints Church, Brightside, Sheffield on 17th August 1879.

William had one younger brother Leslie and five sisters Mary Jane, Edith, Adelaide, Beatrice and Laura. By 1901 the family had moved to Brownhill, Burslem, and by 1911 when most of the children had left home, his parents were living with Laura and Leslie at 109 Corporation Street, Stafford, while William was living in Sale, Cheshire, with his married sister Edith. William’s parents retired to Woodbrook Cottage, Forest Road, Loughborough.

From 1906 to 1911 William was employed by Stafford Rural District Council on general municipal engineering work such as sewerage, sewage disposal, refuse destructor work, water works, road making, estate development, town planning and surveying. From 1911 to 1913 he worked for Manchester City Council on a main drainage scheme.

In March 1913 William emigrated via Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to Montreal, where for a year he worked for the Department of the Canadian Pacific Railway on railway buildings and location through North Ontario. In April 1914 he was employed by the town of St. Lambert opposite Montreal to work on a sewerage scheme and also to design roads and sidewalks.

William enlisted in Montreal with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 28th May 1915. As Private 2266 he was posted to the 2nd Canadian Sanitary Section. On 28th June 1915 he sailed on the SS Northland for England, arriving at Plymouth on 9th July. On the following day he reached Otterpool Camp near Folkestone. On 22nd July they moved to St. Martin’s Plain, Shorncliffe for lectures, work in camp and route marches.

On 16th September the section sailed from Southampton, arriving at Le Havre the following day. On 18th September they left Le Havre by rail for Bloomdoeck and marched to Castre and then to Westoutre. Until the beginning of April 1916 the section worked in the area of Westoutre, La Clytte, Scherbenberg, Kemmel Barrier and Dranoutre. They dealt with water supplies, ablution tables, drainage, latrines and incinerators. When there was an acute shortage of water in the trenches they ran a pipe from Dickebusch Lake. In October 1915 seven men were promoted to the rank of Acting Sergeant while in charge of sanitary parties and William was one of them.

On 3rd April 1916 the section moved to Reninghelst and inspected all camps in that area. They also assessed work needed in the towns of Dickebusch, Abeele and Vormezeele and went into action.

On 13th May 1916 William was transferred to the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company and he joined the company at Dickebusch on 20th May.

Mining under enemy lines, placing explosives and blowing them up was a tactic used to break the siege conditions of entrenched warfare. In some areas, both sides mined and counter-mined intensively. Tunnelling units were engaged on underground work including the digging of subways, cable trenches, saps, chambers (for such things as signals and medical services), as well as offensive or defensive mining.

Once both sides had embarked on mining operations, there was a determined struggle for tactical superiority in those areas where conditions were favourable. At Hill 60, The Bluff, St Eloi, Aubers Ridge, Hooge, Givenchy and Cuinchy, where the front lines were relatively close together and the geology suitable for tunnelling, the mining companies sought ways to not only drive mines for destroying enemy positions, but developed measures of detection of the enemy mine systems. When detected, an enemy mine would be immediately destroyed by the explosion of a camouflet, often at the cost of severe damage to one’s own system. There were many underground encounters, as a tunnelling team, breaking into an enemy position, met the enemy underground. Sometimes these encounters included fighting in the tunnels and chambers.

When William joined the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company in May 1916 the company was working on digging one shaft at The Bluff, La Clytte, and another at Spoilbank dugouts. In June work on shafts also took place at Ridgewood and Vormezeele. On 2nd June William was granted a Commission as Temporary Lieutenant in the Canadian Engineers.

In July the company carried out routine work including pumping out water on all the shafts, constructing larger shaft entrances and nearby dugouts. At the end of July and in August enemy bombardments caused some damage and repair work had to be done at The Bluff and elsewhere. On 12th August work began on a new shaft house at St. Eloi and towards the end of August tunnel digging began amid some enemy shelling at La Clytte and Ridgewood. Throughout September, October and early November routine maintenance was needed at La Clytte and The Bluff and there was good progress on the tunnels. In November repairs were also carried out to a power station

William was granted leave of absence to visit England from 13th to 26th November. On 21st November he was married to Lucy Marguerite Amies in Nottingham.

The 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company remained in the area of La Clytte and St. Eloi and was still there in March 1917 when William was posted to the Canadian Engineers Depot Company at Crowborough, Sussex, to undertake instructional duties. In June 1917 he was also Mentioned in Despatches.

On 21st December 1917 William was re-posted to the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company and returned overseas to join the company which was still at La Clytte and now working on connected dugouts. On 28th December the company handed over work to the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company and on 29th December entrained at Dickebusch for Hazebrouck. On 30th they marched to Lillers and on 31st to Barlin.

On 2nd January 1918 the company began work on machine gun emplacements at Riaumont and on camp Nissen huts. Work then started on mine driving shafts, galleries and dugouts and on further machine gun emplacements. In late February work began at Givenchy. In April the company was employed on trenching, wiring and constructing dugouts at Bray. In May they were working at Bois en Haché, Aix Noulette, and Boyeffle. A road mine was also begun on the Lens-Arras road.

William was granted leave from 5th to 19th June. In July, mining work being finished, the company built and made light railways.

The company’s war diary ends in July 1918. It has been recorded elsewhere, however, that William was wounded at Cambrai on 27th September 1918. On the 28th September he was admitted to the British Red Cross Hospital at Wimereux with a severe gunshot wound to his thigh. On 29th September he was transported by hospital ship to England and admitted to the Prince of Wales’s Hospital, Marylebone, London. He was discharged on 17th October and sent to the Canadian Convalescent Officers Hospital, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire where he remained until 21st November.

On 5th October 1918 William had been transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Canadian Engineers. Whether he went back to France after the Armistice is unknown.

William returned to Canada and was demobbed in January 1919. In 1920 he was living with his wife in Rockingham, Halifax, Nova Scotia and working as an electrician. Seven years later he was a professor at the Technical College, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

When and where William died is not known.

A/CSM 14994 George William Lings DCM MM MiD

 

8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 29758.
19 September 1916. p. 9202

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30879.
30 August 1918. p. 10317.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 30434.
14 December 1917. p. 13232.

 
                   

Click to see notes in Distinguished Conduct Medal section above.

RSM 24003 Henry George Lovett MC DCM MiD

 

1/5th Leicestershire Regiment.

Previously numbered as 2428 and 6712. Also served with the 2/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment. 

(MC) The London Gazette. 3 October 1919. p. 12312.           

(DCM) The London Gazette. 7 March 1919. p. 3243.

(MiD) The London Gazette. 11 December 1917.
               


Click to see notes in Military Cross section above.

Major  William Francis Martin MiD

 

C, Squadron Leicestershire Yeomanry.

Killed in Action 13th May 1915,  Aged 39.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29422.
1 January 1916. p. 15.

 

 

Company Sergeant Major 20845 Ernest Neale MM,
Silver Cross of St. George (Russia) MiD

 

6th Bn, Machine Gun Company

Previously 16th Bde, Machine Gun Corps

Previously 9612 1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment and subsequently 780833 Leicestershire Regiment

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 29805.
27 October 1916. p. 10482.

(Silver Cross of St. George, Fourth Class [Russia])
The London Gazette. Supplement 29275.
24 August 1915. p. 8516.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 29200.
18 June 1915. p. 5993.

 

 

Lieutenant William Norman DCM MM MiD

 

1st, 3rd and 1/5th Bns Leicestershire Regiment.

(DCM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30204. 24 July 1917. p. 7658.

(MM) The London Gazette Supplement 29805. 27 October 1916. p. 10482.

(MiD) The London Gazette Supplement 30086. 22 May 1917. p. 5030.

 

Captain Lawrence Peel MiD

 

2nd Bn, Yorkshire Regiment.

. Killed in Action 23rd October 1914, Aged 30.

Commemorated Ypres Menin Gate panel 33.

The London Gazette. Supplement 29072.
16 February 1915. p. 1661.

 

Captain William Start MiD

 

Tank Corps.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30445. 21 December 1917. p. 13475. 

 

 


William Start was born in Loughborough on 29th February 1888 and baptised on 29th March 1891 at All Saints Church, Loughborough. He was the son of William Edward Start and his wife Mary Jane (née Lockwood) who were married on 25th May 1885 at All Saints Church, Loughborough. William Junior had one brother Arthur and two sisters Agnes and Ethel.

William Junior’s father was a mechanical engineer and iron turner and between 1891 and 1901 the family lived at 10 Mill Street, Loughborough, but by 1911 they had moved to 51 Ashby Road. In 1911 William Junior, aged 23, was a clerk in the timber trade while his siblings Arthur and Agnes were both council school teachers. The family later moved to 29 Arthur Street.

William Junior enlisted in September 1914 with the 21st University and Public Schools (UPS) Battalion. He was initially sent to Epsom, Surrey and moved to Ashtead in October 1914. Trench digging was practised at Caterham and Woldingham in January 1915. In February 1915 he moved into a brand new camp at Woodcote Park, Epsom. Once men of the UPS had entered camp they became Royal Fusiliers forming the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st (Service) Battalions. William was now Private PS/3231 in the 21st (Service) Battalion (4th Public Schools) of the Royal Fusiliers. As well as exercising in Woodcote Park they also used Epsom Downs, Headley Heath and the surrounding countryside in order to attain a level of efficiency that would allow them to go to war. In June 1915 the battalion moved to Clipstone Camp, Nottinghamshire, as part of the 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. The battalion then moved to Tidworth, Salisbury Plain, on 8th August 1915 before finally being deployed to France on 14th November 1915.

After concentrating at Morbecque with the 33rd Division the battalion moved via Thiennes to Béthune and was sent to learn the skills of real trench warfare in the area around La Bassée Canal.

William, now a Corporal, officially left the Royal Fusiliers on 23rd March 1916 and returned to England in March 1916 to join an Officer Cadet Unit.

On 4th August 1916 William was commissioned as a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant with the 12th (Reserve) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and he joined the battalion in the Newcastle upon Tyne area. On 1st September 1916 the battalion was converted into the 83rd Training Reserve Battalion of 19th Reserve Brigade.

On 29th November 1916 William was posted to F Company of the Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Section). The Heavy Section of the Machine Gun Corps was the original name for what eventually became the Tank Corps. Tanks were first used at the Battle of Flers–Courcelette in September 1916 during the Somme Offensive. At that time the six tank companies were grouped as the Heavy Section of the Machine Gun Corps (MGC). In November 1916 the eight companies then in existence were each expanded to form battalions (still identified by the letters A to H) and designated the Heavy Branch MGC; another seven battalions, I to O, were formed by January 1918, when all the battalion were changed to numbered units. F Company became the 6th Battalion. On 28th July 1917, the Heavy Branch was separated from the rest of the Corps by Royal Warrant and given official status as the Tank Corps.

When William joined F Battalion in December 1916 the battalion was in training at Wool Camp, Dorset. By the end of February 1917 sufficient officers had completed their own tank training and were able to take charge of section training, including tank tactics and map reading.

The battalion began mobilising on 14th April 1917 when a period of intensive training began. The men were taught tank tactics on Gallows Hill and hardened up by route marches and extra physical training. On 12th May the battalion paraded at Bovington for the last time and left by train from Wool for Southampton. They then embarked on the SS Viper and sailed for Le Havre, arriving the following morning. The battalion rested in a nearby camp until 20th May when they entrained at Pont 3, Gare des Voyageurs. After a night in a siding at Etaples the train proceeded to Auchy-les-Hesdin where the battalion detrained and went into billets.

On 1st June the battalion moved by bus via St. Pol and Arras to the Corps Driving School at Wailly. Driving instruction was given on Mark IV tanks over the old trench system between Waiily, Blairville and Ficheux. On 5th June, just before the Battle of Messines, two sections of the tanks were ordered to proceed to Croisilles and move toward Henin-sur-Cojeul in order to mislead the enemy into thinking the offensive would take place in that area. After two weeks at Wailly the battalion returned to Auchy-les-Hesdin where training continued.

The battalion drew their first tanks at Erin on 16th June and trekked to Auchy with them. In the following week more tanks were drawn and a tankodrome was created at Auchy. By the last week in June the whole battalion was ready for action. Between 2nd and 6th July the battalion and tanks moved to Oosthoek Wood just off the Elverdinghe to Poperinghe road. All the tanks were then camouflaged. On July 6th most of the battalion moved to another camp in a wood near La Louvie but even there it was impossible to avoid some enemy shelling.

On 27th July 1917 the Tank Corps was formed from the Heavy Branch MGC and the battalions adopted numbering rather than letter designations (although tank names followed the same lettering: for example, 6th Battalion tanks were all named with a letter F, like Furious, Firefly, etc.). Each Tank Battalion had a complement of 32 officers and 374 men.

On the night of 30th July the battalion moved from St. Jean to the front line and on the following day, the first day of the Passchendaele Offensive, went into action. They suffered 47 casualties, ten tanks had to be ditched, three were burnt out and four had machine trouble. William was mentioned in despatches for his work at Ypres on 31st July 1917.

During the first week of August the battalion attempted to salvage as many tanks as possible and bring them back to Oosthoek Wood. The battalion was again involved in action on 20th August and there were a further 45 casualties. During August William was promoted to Temporary Lieutenant.

On 3rd September the battalion war ordered to begin a move to Blairville for training. The move took place by train from Peselhoek to Beaumetz and then the tanks were taken to the ruins of Blairville and camouflaged. The battalion camped between Blairville and Bretencourt. During the training period all the tanks were overhauled.

On 15th October the battalion was ordered to move to Auchy-les-Hesdin. The move was completed by 25th October. On 19th October 1918 William was promoted to Temporary Captain. On 19th November the tanks were removed from camouflage in preparation for the Battle of Cambrai (20th November – 7th December 1917). During the battle F Battalion fought on the right flank of the British attack, clearing the village of La Vacquerie before moving north to the canal bridges on the St Quentin canal, which they held against German counter-attacks. On 27th November the unit was again in action at Bourlon village where they helped the infantry fight their way into the village.

After the battle the battalion assembled at Villers-Pluich before moving to Ribecourt and then Dessart Wood. The tanks were then ordered to proceed to metz and then to Bray-sur-Somme. During November 1917 there were 167 casualties in the battalion.

By 5th December the whole battalion was at Camps 165 and 166 on the Bray-Albert road and by 13th December all tanks were at the 3rd Brigade tankodrome between the camps and Le Plateau station. The battalion spent the next few months repairing the dilapidated camp sites and building a theatre and cinema. They also underwent training on the new ‘Whippet’ light tanks being introduced.

On 11th February 1918 William was posted to the 18th Battalion of the Tank Corps at Bovington Camp, Wareham, Dorset, as Acting Captain.

On 16th April 1918 William married Mary Josephine Fogden at All Saints Church, Loughborough., Loughborough.

The 18th Battalion left England for France on 2nd October 1918 but the Armistice was declared before it was involved in any action.

William left the Army on 25th July 1922, having retained the rank of Captain. After he returned to civilian life he became a corn and agricultural merchant and he and his wife lived at 64 Leicester Road. William died in Loughborough on 2nd March 1950, aged 62.

 
Lieutenant W. Start (centre) with his Tank crew.
 

 

 
William Start (MID)

Colonel William Shirley Northcote Toller DSO MiD

1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.


Also 1/7th (Robin Hood) Bn, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment).                                                                                     

(DSO) The London Gazette. Supplement 29438.
11 January 1916. p. 574.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 29422.
1 January 1916. p. 38

  Click to see notes in DSO section above.

 

 

 


 

The Royal Red Cross



The Royal Red Cross was instituted as a decoration by Queen Victoria by royal warrant of 23 April 1883 for award to ladies who showed special devotion while nursing the sick and wounded of the Army and Navy.

In November 1915, the Royal Red Cross was expanded to two classes: First Class, or Member (RRC); and Second Class, or Associate (ARRC).

In 1917 arrangements were made for Members of the First Class who performed further outstanding services to be awarded a bar.

The decoration was specifically extended to the Nursing Services of the Royal Air Force in 1920 and to men in 1977. The award is now restricted to members of the Nursing Services of the Armed Forces and properly constituted Auxiliary Nursing Services working under Armed Forces control.


 


 

Matron Bithia Dudley ARRC

 

Matron, The Cameron Hospital, West Hartlepool, County Durham.

Previously Matron, Loughborough General Hospital.

The London Gazette. Supplement 31482. 29 July 1919. p. 9824.

 


Bithia Dudley was born on 9th October 1870 in Peterborough, Northamptonshire. She was the daughter of Joseph Dudley and his wife Mary Ann (née Southwell) who were married in Peterborough in 1867. Bithia had two brothers Amos and George and one sister Mary. Her brother Amos, however, died aged 20, in 1889.

When Bithia was born her father was a railway sheet labourer and the family lived in Allens Lane, Peterborough. By 1881, however, they had moved to 79 Lowe Street, Windle, Lancashire, and her father was a brewer’s yeast dealer. Her father subsequently became a general dealer and later a dealer in leather. In 1891 the family lived at 32 Westfield Street, Windle. They later moved to 9 Liverpool Road, St. Helen’s, Lancashire, and then to 105 Kirkland Street, also in St. Helen’s.

Between 1895 and 1898 Bithia trained to be a nurse at the Liverpool Infirmary. By 1901 she was a hospital nurse and working in the household of Anne Ravenscroft at 22 Forest Road, Birkenhead. By 1906 she had become Matron of the Victoria Cottage Hospital in Maryport, Cumberland, and in October 1911 she was appointed to the position of Matron at the Loughborough General Hospital.

When war broke out in 1914 Loughborough General Hospital was designated an Auxiliary Military Hospital with 80 beds for accommodating wounded soldiers. Bithia then also became Lady Superintendent of Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs).

In the spring of 1916 Bithia resigned from her position at Loughborough in order to take up the position of Matron at the Cameron Hospital, West Hartlepool, County Durham.

In 1919 Bithia was awarded the Royal Red Cross (2nd Class) and was decorated by the King at Buckingham Palace on 20th March 1920.

Bithia retired from the Cameron Hospital after sixteen years service in November 1932 and went to live with her sister Mary, who was also a nurse, at Thorpe Cottage, 89 Aylesbury Road, Bierton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. She died on 12th June 1961 at Tindal General Hospital, Aylesbury, aged 90.

Matron Amy Kaye ARRC

 

Matron, Loughborough General Hospital.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30758. 18 June 1918. p. 7313.

 


Amy Kaye was born on 15th September 1877 in Linthwaite, Yorkshire, and baptised at Christ Church, Linthwaite, on 17th November 1889. She was the daughter of Jonathan Kaye and his wife Elizabeth (née Lockwood) who were married at Christ Church, Linthwaite, on 27th May 1865. Amy had one brother Cyril and three sisters Eva, Ida, Ella and Enid. Another brother Tom died aged 2.

Amy’s father was initially a dyer and he later became a wool scourer for a woollen cloth manufacturer. In 1881 the family lived in Colne Valley Dyeworks Mill Yard, Linthwaite, but then moved to Calverley’s Mill, Linthwaite. Amy’s father died, aged 46, in 1891 and by 1901 Amy, a woollen weaver, was living at 48 Faraday Square, Linthwaite, with her sisters Ella and Enid and brother Cyril. Her mother, meanwhile, had taken employment as a cook for the Reverend W. H. Taylor of Warmington, Warwickshire.

Between August 1904 and August 1908 Amy trained as a nurse at the David Lewis Northern Hospital, Great Howard Street, Liverpool. When she finished training she became Outpatient Sister and then Housekeeping Sister at the same hospital.

On 12th August 1909 Amy joined the Territorial Force Nursing Service (TFNS), a sister organisation to Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS). Its purpose was to supplement the regular service in emergencies and all its members worked as nurses in civilian life. In 1912 she was appointed Matron of the Cottage Hospital, Lytham, Lancashire.

Amy was mobilised by the TFNS on 12th August 1914 and sent as a Theatre Sister to the 1st Western General Hospital, Fazakerley, Liverpool. The Board of the Cottage Hospital, Lytham, promised to keep her position as Matron there open for her. On 10th February 1915 Amy was posted to the Rawalpindi British Hospital in Wimereux, France. There she cared for soldiers wounded in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10th-13th March 1915).

According to documents held by the National Archives in May 1915 Amy was forced to resign from the TFNS because of a family crisis, the precise nature of which is unknown. She had also received a letter from the Hospital Board in Lytham saying that they had found it very difficult to manage with temporary matrons. She returned to Lytham as Matron for a short while but on 7th March 1916 was re-enrolled in the TFNS and her name was put on the waiting list of the Headquarters Reserve.

At the same time Amy had applied for the position of Matron and Lady Superintendent of Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD) at Loughborough General Hospital. She was chosen from 31 applicants for the post and she took up the position on 17th April 1916. Loughborough General Hospital had been designated an Auxiliary Military Hospital and it included 80 beds accommodating wounded soldiers.

In 1918 Amy was awarded the Royal Red Cross (Second Class). On 31st July 1918 she was decorated by the King at Buckingham Palace. In July 1919 she was also invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

Amy remained as Matron in Loughborough until about 1932 or 1933. She then moved to Maidstone, Kent and in late 1933 or early 1934 married Dr. John Cecil Fisher. Dr. Fisher had previously been a visiting surgeon at the Cottage Hospital, Lytham, and had served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during the war.

In 1939 Amy and her husband were living at 7 Pine Grove, Ashford Road, Maidstone. Amy’s husband died in 1941. Amy died on 5th October 1969, aged 92, at Oaklands, Turnshaw Road, Kirkburton, Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

  

 

 

Sister Sarah Ann Leavesley ARRC

 

Staff Nurse, Territorial Force Nursing Service, 4th Northern General Hospital, Lincoln.

The London Gazette. Supplement 30758. 18 June 1918. p. 7313.

 


Sarah Ann Leavesley was born on 2nd September 1880 in Hints, Staffordshire. She was the daughter of Henry Leavesley and his wife Hannah (née Stretton) who were married in the Tamworth area of Staffordshire in 1879. Sarah had five brothers John, William, Joseph, Albert and Percy and four sisters Edith, Ada, Ethel and Rose. Her brother Albert, however, died in infancy.

Sarah’s father was a farm labourer and the family often moved. Between 1881 and 1887 they lived in Hints, Middleton and No Man’s Heath, all in Staffordshire. By 1887 they had moved to Appleby Magna, Leicestershire, and by 1891 to Stretton en le Field, also in Leicestershire. In the 1890s they moved to Old Parks, and then to Smisby Mill, both near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. In 1891 Sarah, aged 10, was a domestic servant and living at home. Ten years later she was a servant with the Carrethers family at The Firs, Tamworth Road, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Between 1902 and 1905 Sarah was in London, training for her nursing certificate at the Islington Infirmary. She then moved back to the Midlands and in 1911 was listed as a Private Hospital Nurse living with Eva Luke and her daughter at The Elms, Willington, Derby. At the time she was working under the auspices of the Royal Derby and Derbyshire Nursing Association. She also joined the Territorial Force Nursing Service (TFNS), a sister organisation to Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS).

Sarah’s father had died in 1903 and between 1911 and 1914 her widowed mother moved to 66 Cambridge Street, Loughborough.

Sarah was called up on 13th August 1914 and posted to the 4th Northern General Hospital, Lincoln. She served at the hospital for over four years and in 1918 was awarded the Royal Red Cross (Second Class). She was decorated by the King at Buckingham Palace on 25th March 1920. In July 1919 she was also invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

After the war Sarah remained for a while with the TFNS and on 31st July 1919 she was posted to the 4th London General Hospital, Ruskin Park Extension, Denmark Hill, Southwark. A year later she left the TFNS and returned to Lincoln. On 23rd May 1921 she was promoted to the rank of Sister at the County Hospital, Lincoln. Between 1936 and 1939 she held the position of Sister at White Oak Hospital, Swanley, Kent.

After her mother died in 1926 Sarah retained her connection with Loughborough. When she herself retired in the 1940s she moved to 72 Oxford Street, Loughborough. She died in Loughborough in 1973, aged 93. Her burial service was held at St. Peter’s Church, Loughborough, on 9th August 1973.

  

 

Matron Margaret de Havilland Spittal ARRC

 

Matron, Charnwood Auxiliary Hospital.

The Edinburgh Gazette. Issue 13158. 25 October 1917. p. 2245.

 


Margaret de Havilland Spittal was born in Leicester on 29th May 1867 and baptised on 15th July 1867 at St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester. She was the daughter of the Reverend John Spittal, Vicar of St. Andrew’s Church, and his wife Mary Bentley Spittal (née Jackson) who were married on 12th July 1864 at St. Mary’s Church, Stoke Newington, London. Margaret had three brothers John (Junior), James and Francis and two sisters Mary (Junior) and Etheldred. Her brother Francis, however, died aged 8 in 1888.

Margaret’s father was born in Edinburgh. Her grandfather was a prominent nouveau riche silk merchant Sir James Spittal (1769 – 1842) who was very active in radical Whig politics, campaigning against the excesses of the undemocratic unreformed Town Council. Sir James was elected to the first reformed Town Council of the City of Edinburgh and served as Lord Provost from 1833 to 1837.

Margaret’s father was educated at Edinburgh School and Edinburgh Academy. In 1855, at the age of 22, he entered Trinity Hall, Cambridge, graduating with a BA in 1859 and MA in 1863. In 1857 he was elected a member of the long-established and exclusive Speculative Society of Edinburgh – a private debating and social society with its own accommodation within the College Buildings of Edinburgh University.

In 1859 her father was ordained deacon and in 1860 priest in London. He was curate of Stoke Newington, London, from 1859-61, and of Stepney, London, in 1861. At the age of only 29 in 1862 he moved to Leicester as the first Vicar of the new parish of St. Andrew’s. This had been established to serve the rapidly growing largely working-class population of the new housing and industrial developments west of the Royal Infirmary and stretching beyond the river and canal to Narborough Road and beyond. In addition to a large new Church and Vicarage on Jarrom Street, St. Andrew’s also had two new church schools. At the Consecration of the new church in February 1862 the newly arrived first Vicar of the parish presented a Communion set to the Church. Spittal was a Tractarian and he established the High Church tradition in St. Andrew’s. He was also very active in expanding the educational and social work of the Church.

In 1874 he left Leicester to become Vicar of Christ Church, South Banbury, Oxfordshire, for four years, after which he was Rector of St. Luke’s Church, Heywood, Lancashire, from 1878 to 1885, when he became Vicar of St. Peter’s, Ryde, Isle of Wight, serving through to his death in Ryde in 1897.

Margaret trained as a nurse. She received her children’s training at the Nottingham Chuildren’s Hospital between 1887 and 1892. She then went to Leicester Infirmary for adult training where she was ultimately promoted to the position of Sister of the women’s surgical and eye ward, a post which she held until March 1898, when she was placed in charge of the theatre and men’s and women’s operation wards.

In March 1899 Margaret was appointed Lady Superintendent of the Children’s Hospital, Forest House, Chestnut Grove, Nottingham, where she had originally trained. This hospital was founded as a charitable institution in 1869, with the aim of providing 'for the reception, maintenance and medical treatment of children of the poor under ten years of age'. It was also known as 'St Lucy's', as the first nursing staff were recruited from the Sisters of St Lucy.

By 1905 Margaret had become Matron of Charnwood Forest Convalescent Home, Buck Hill Road, between Nanpantan and Woodhouse, Leicestershire. During the First World War this became an Auxiliary Military Hospital. Wounded soldiers were accommodated here, mostly transferred from larger war time hospitals – such as the 5th Northern Hospital at Leicester. The hospital held 214 patients, and most stayed for over a month.

In 1917 Margaret was awarded the Royal Red Cross (Second Class). She was decorated by the King at Buckingham Palace on 25th May 1918..

When Margaret retired in the mid-1920s she firstly moved to Petersfield, Hampshire, and then to The Homestead, Roman Road, Twyford, Winchester, where she lived with her brother James and his wife and her widowed sister Etheldred Waddy. Her brother James, as well as being a clergyman, also wrote mystery novels under the pseudonym of James Quince.

Margaret died, aged 80, on 6th April 1948 at Angene Nursing Home, St. Giles Hill, Winchester.

Matron Spittal, (3rd from left, front row) Nottingham Children’s Hospital 1901

  

 


The Cross of St. George (Russia)

Associated with the Order of St. George, but for enlisted men and NCO's, the Cross of St. George came in 4 classes. Like the Order of St. George, the St. George cross was awarded for acts of distinction under arms. An enlisted man or NCO would be awarded the 4th class cross for his first brave act. A second notable act could then bring him the 3rd class cross, etc. The first class and second class were in gold, the first class with a bow on the ribbon. The third and fourth classes were in silver, the third class marked by a bow. The ribbon was the same as for the order of St. George.

Over two million St. George Crosses were distributed during the Great War and before the abdication of the Tsar, going to soldiers, nurses and members of the Red Cross. Commanders in the field could award the St. George Cross on the spot. Russia

 

 


Sergeant 10938 Ernest Davison
Silver Cross of St. George (Russia)

 

2nd Bn, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment).

Killed in Action 5th October 1915, Aged 26.

Buried Potijze Burial Ground Ieper. DI. 3. 

 



Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.



Ordinary Signalman J/26716(PO) Herbert Goulden
Silver Cross of St. George (Russia)

 

H.M. Submarine E. 13. Royal Navy.

Killed in Action Saltholm 19th August 1915, Aged 18.

Buried Loughborough Cemetery 42-256 

 

 

 

Carillon Collection.

 



Click to see further details
in WW1 Roll of Honour listing.



 

Company Sergeant Major 20845 Ernest Neale MM,
Silver Cross of St. George (Russia) MiD

 

6th Bn, Machine Gun Company

Previously 16th Bde, Machine Gun Corps

Previously 9612 1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment and subsequently 780833 Leicestershire Regiment

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 29805.
27 October 1916. p. 10482.

(Silver Cross of St. George, Fourth Class [Russia])
The London Gazette. Supplement 29275.
24 August 1915. p. 8516.

(MiD) The London Gazette. Supplement 29200.
18 June 1915. p. 5993.

 

 

 


 

Médaille Militaire (France)

The Médaille militaire (Military Medal) was first instituted in 1852 and is a decoration of the French Republic.

Created by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, President of the French Republic, on 22 January 1852, by decree. 

The Médaille Militaire (Military Medal) was created to reward warrant officers, corporals, sergeants, soldiers and sailors for military service, especially for acts of courage in combat. In June 1852, it was decided that the Médaille Militaire would also be awarded to generals and marshals.

 

 

Company Sergeant Major 240358
Edwin Angrave MM (France)

1/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Died of Wounds 5th October 1918, Aged 38.

Buried Tincourt New British Cemetery, Somme, V1. F. 19.

  

 

 


Croix de Guerre (France)

  

Instituted by Royal Warrant on 28th December 1914.

The Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts. The Croix de Guerre was also commonly bestowed on foreign military forces allied to France.

 

 

Sergeant 12068 Wilfred Barker  MM Croix de Guerre

 

8th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

Also 55749 14th Bn, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment

(MM) The London Gazette. 28 March 1919. Issue 31257. p. 4129.

(C de G) The London Gazette. Supplement 31109. 3 January 1919. p. 315.


Sergeant 10400 Alfred Stanley Warner MM
Croix de Guerre

 

6th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment.

(MM) The London Gazette. Supplement 30962.
18 October 1918. p.12418.

(C de G) The London Gazette. Supplement 31109.
3 January 1919. p. 317.