Arthur Jack Townsend

(Jack)

Born on 23rd August 1898 in Heyeterbury, Wiltshire Arthur was the second son of Eva and Charles Henry Townsend, a Dairyman, of 31 Fishers Lane, Chiswick, London. Presumably Eva, originally from Devises,  had born Arthur whilst staying with family for her confinement as he was baptised at St James's Church, Bromley Wiltshire on 13th November 1898. Available records show Eva and her two boys living apart from Charles, in 1901 she was living at 45 Church Street, Calne, Wiltshire, working as a fishmonger and employed a servant. In 1911 she was living with her mother and Arthur at 3, Albion Place, Devises, Arthur's elder brother, Stanley, was living with his father's mother.

On 19th February 1913, Arthur now 14 years old, attended Eastney Barracks near Portsmouth where he joined the Royal Navy School of Music as a band boy, a part of the Royal Marines Light Infantry. At this time Arthur was 4' 9¾" tall, with fresh complexion and eyes, he had been working as a fitter and turner and passed a swimming test. At school he continued his education to school certificate 3rd class which he achieved by October 1913, he studied clarinet and violin in addition to military training in gymnastics and drill. On 9th March 1915 he was promoted to Musician and trained in musketry and the bayonet.

HMS Warspite (Wiki)

On 5th April 1915 aged 16 Arthur was sent to sea on HMS Warspite, recently finished, powered by oil and armed with eight single 15" guns, at that time untested in action, she underwent sea trials and impressed Winston Churchill, then the First Lord of the Admiralty, with her fire power and accuracy. Arthur's voyage was short but sufficient to entitle him to the award of the 1914-15 Star, on 26th June he returned to Portsmouth, Warspite joined the Grand Fleet and was involved in the Battle of Jutland in 1916.

Returning to the RN School of Music in July 1915 Arthur was elevated to Bugler and then posted to Portsmouth Division. Here he was engaged learning all the skills of both a soldier and a sailor, drill, musketry, all the aspects of the varied artillery pieces kept at Eastney Barracks, rowing, swimming and boat work. For the gunnery courses special devices had been made which replicated the conditions of the rolling deck of a ship. During 1915 Arthur succesfully underwent training in fire control, this was where from deep within the ship the guns were controlled. All the necessary factors such as distance, weather, target speed, were sent by spotters to control who calculated the trajectory to the target and sent a firing solution to the gun team who layed the gun accordingly. The spotters then forwarded the necesary information back to control for them to make any necesary adjustments. Aboard ship the RMLI gunners traditionally mounted the rearmost gun usually designated 'Y' Turret, there was understandably a great deal of healthy rivalry between the RN and RMLI gun crews which led to greater efficiency. When not training Arthur would have spent time on fatigues, guard duties and shore patrols.

In July 1915 Arthur was elevated to Private and would remain at that rank for the rest of his service. In April 1916 he was posted to HMS Dido an old vessel launched in 1896, she was now a Depot ship providing resupply services at sea for the 9th Destroyer Flottilla operating out of Harwich the home of the Harwich Force. This strike force, by the end of 1917,  consisted of nine light cruisers, four flotilla leaders, 45 destroyers and a submarine force. The combination of light and fast ships was effective for scouting patrols, engaging German light ships and anti-minelaying duties in the English Channel.

HMS Dido (Wiki)

In February 1918 he was posted back to Portsmouth Division and on 15th March was posted back to sea on HMS Furious. This ship was built as a Courageous Class Battlecruiser in the war years and commissioned in 1917, it was lightly armoured with a main battery of only two 18" guns. Whilst under construction it was redesigned as the first Aircraft Carrier and a landing deck was built onto the forward decks. Furious was to take part in a plan to launch a sea borne invasion of Germany, named Operation Baltic it involved over 600 ships of all sorts but it was never implemented. Furious experimented with landing and take off of aircraft from its deck, the very first succesful landing was on Furious on 2nd August 1917 by Squadron Commander Edwin Dunning RNAS. Dunning managed a second succesful landing but was killed on his third attempt when his plane crashed over the ships side flipped by wind, he drowned whilst unconscious. By the time Arthur joined the ship it had been modified to add a second landing deck at the rear, but landing on this deck was considered as hazardous as ditching in the sea. In March 1918 with Arthur on board as part of the RMLI detachement, Furious sailed to join the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow and was flying the flag of Rear Admiral Richard Phillimore in command of all aircraft.

On 27th June 1918, the Royal airforce now formed and manning Furious's Sopwith Camels, a raiding group set of to attack the Tondern Airship base in Germany, (now Tønder, Denmark). With Furious were the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron and eight Destroyers, seven aircraft were ready on the flight deck to bomb the target in two waves. On 29th June the force reached the fly off point but force six winds forced a cancellation. On 17th July the force set off for a second attempt but was again thwarted by weather, the ships waited out of sight of the coast and the following day between 3.13 and 3.21 a.m., with weather threatening to worsen the seven Sopwith Camels took off.

HMS Furious (Wiki)

One aircraft of the second flight developed engine trouble, turned back and ditched in the sea and the pilot rescued. The first flight of three planes arrived at the target 4.35 a.m. and surprised the base, the target consisted of three airship hangers codenamed; Toska, Tobi and Toni. The latter was being dismantled, Toska was a double hanger and housed two airships, L.54 and L.60, the first flight dropped its bombs on this structure. Three bombs hit home and both airships went up in flames but did not explode leaving the hanger damaged. Tobias, which contained a captive balloon, was also hit by a bomb from the first wave causing damage, the second flight managed to destroy the balloon and had narrow misses on a wagon loaded with Hydrogen cylinders.

Both waves were targeted by ground fire which resulted in the loss of a landing wheel, only four defenders were injured. Both flights left the scene to head back to Furious, one flight low on fuel landed in Denmark and were interned, of the other flight two planes ditched and were rescued the other plane was never seen again. Furious waited until 7 a.m. until all planes were either back or lost and returned home. Whilst other raids from Furious were planned the Tondern Raid was the first air attacked launched from a carrier attack and the last of WW1. After the war Furious was laid up and converted to a full flight deck, she was used for extensive trials and training, she served during WW2 and was sold for scrap in 1948.

After the war Arthur still had seven years of service left to complete and besides shore duties he served aboard HMS Dublin from January 1920 to January 1922, also HMS Couragious for four months of 1922. In November 1923, now 5' 7" tall, he bought himself out of the Navy for £24 but enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve Class B. To join the Reserve a man had to be recommended by his commanding officer, have a satisfactory service record, (Arthur was rated VG) and to have earned at least one good conduct badge and to have completed at least five man years. Arthur had to complete one weeks training per year during which he was paid as a Private, he also recieved a retainer of sixpence per day paid quarterly and was subject of recall to active service in emergency.

In 1929 Arthur married Freda Beatrice West in Devises, Wiltshire.

After completing his first five year commitment to the RFR he signed on for a second five year period. Arthur's naval career with the RMLI concluded on 6th November 1933, his record marked; "not desirous of re-enrolment.

In 1939 the couple were living at 3, Sidmouth Street, Devizes there is no record of children. Arthur was employed as a Builder's Painter and Freda worked in the ticket office of a local cinema. Arthur died on 2nd March 1954 aged only 55, his estate was left to Freda and following her death in 1978 she was interred with Arthur in Devizes Cemetery.

Arthur's Medals, the 1914-15 Star British War and Victory Medals were sold and now form part of my collection.

Courtesy 'Moonraker' Find a Grave

James Law

 James Law

Most of the details confirmed about James are from his surviving military record and the 1901 census, the volume of men of this name hides other identifying facts. He was born around 10th September 1895 in Rayne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1901 his family were living at House Kirktown, Rayne. His father Alexander was working as a Traction Engine Driver and his mother, Isabella, was looking after five sons aged between eight years and ten months, James was the third eldest.

On 9th January 1916 James attended an army recruitment facility in Aberdeen under the Derby Scheme. He attested, was medically examined and chose to defer his service to await call up, at this time he was single, working as a farm manager at Petty Farm, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, he named his father as next of kin who was living at Lochside, Rayne. Posted to Army reserve 'A' he returned home with a day's army pay in his pocket and a grey armlet bearing a red embroidered crown to wear on his upper arm to show he had volunteered.

Derby Scheme Armlet

James was recalled in December 1916 and joined 42nd Training Reserve Battalion on the 9th. During 1916 an overhaul of army basic training was undertaken and instead of recruits being posted to a Regiment and trained by their reserve Battalions the existing training units were transfered to a Reserve specialising in Infantry training. 42nd TR Battalion had formerly been 11th (Reserve) Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders based at Bridge of Allan, Stirling, Scotland. 42nd TR was part of 9th Brigade, recruits with the three Scottish TR Brigades wore a Gregarry hat rather than the service cap and instead of a Regimental badge wore a general service button on a red background, 9th Brigade also wore kilts and hose. Basic training normally took 12 weeks but James was posted after only eight weeks to the Machine Gun Corps on 11th February 1917.

Until the end of 1915 heavy machine guns were held by Battalions who had specialist men to man the guns, it was decided these weapons would be more effectively used if deployed on a Brigade basis and the Machine Gun Corps was developed. The guns, both Vickers and Maxim were withdrawn from Battalions and replaced with the lighter Lewis Gun, the Maxim was gradually phased out and replaced by the Vickers. Training for the MGC Infantry took place at Belton Park near Grantham and involved theory in the classroom, practical work in respect of not only the weapon but the loading and unloading of General Service Wagons and drill specific to the role. Thomas completed his training and because of his previous experience on the farm with horses was qualified as both a machine gunner and horseman/driver. Thomas was posted to 230th Machine Gun Company which was formed in Egypt and on 24th April 1917 he embarked from England to join them.

The primary duty of British forces in this region was the defence of the Suez Canal which was the main artery of communication and supply from the south east. The canals loss would have been a major blow to the Allies especially on the Western Front and German led Ottoman forces occupying Palestine had commenced offensive action in 1915 through the Sinai Desert. In addition hostile Arab groups were organised to attack the British along the Egyptian Coast from the west. The defence of the canal was taken to the Eastern Bank of the canal to a depth to keep the canal traffic safe and operations mounted to push the Ottomans back. During 1917 and 18 a third offensive was pursued to firstly take the Ottoman held City of Gaza, three seperate battles were fought resulting in the fall of the city in November 1917. The drive east continued with the capture of Jaffa, southern Judea and Jeruselem, during 1918 the EEF went on the defensive as manpower was taken for the Western Front. A final push in September 1918 resulted in the destruction of three Ottoman Armies and the capture of 76,000 soldiers. Negotiations at Mudros concluded on 30th October 1917 resulting in an Armistice to take effect from noon the following day, the war in the East was over.

Sinai from Suez Canal to Palestine

Thomas landed at Alexandria on 1st June 1917 and on joining his unit was involved in the actions through Palestine apart from some hospitalisation for what was finally diagnosed as Malaria. He was in an unnamed facility from 26th September to 16th October 1917 and then on 28th November he was admitted to 45th Stationary Hospital from where he was evacuated to 31st General Hospital at Port Said. He spent Christmas 1917 at the MGC Base Depot at Helmia camp in Cairo before rejoining his unit.

In May 1918 the Machine Gun Companies were organised in Battalions of three Companies, 230th Company moved to 75th Battalion of 75th Division, Thomas was in B Company.

Thomas was again sent to hospital on 13th October 1918 with Malaria and remained away from the front until the end of hostilities in the region. On 21st February 1919 he sailed from Alexandria to the UK on troop ship Volumnia. Back in the UK he was sent to No 1 Dispersal Centre at Kinross in Scotland and was demobilised to Class Z Reserve on 11th March 1918. With no return to hostilities the Class Z Reserve ceased to be needed and was abandoned, Thomas was finally discharged from the army on sometime in 1920.

Thomas was awarded the British War and Victory Medals for his service and returned to live in Aberdeenshire. 

 Thomas Alfred Hudson

& Nathaniel Lomax

Thomas was born on 8th December 1896 in Farnworth, Lancashire and was baptised in the local St Peter's Church on 3rd February 1897. At that time his family were living at 72 Kent Street and his father, also Thomas Alfred, was employed as a Fish Hawker. There are large holes in the records after Thomas's birth, Thomas (senior) presumably died and mother Jane Ann remarried in 1903 Nathaniel Lomax at that time her name was Jane Annie Dillon a spinster. There are no records for 1901 but Nathaniel Lomax served as a soldier with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment who at this time were in South Africa fighting the Second Boer War.

By 1911 Jane and Nathaniel were living at 112 Bridgewater Street, Farnworth with three children one of whom was Thomas. At this time Nathaniel was a Coal Hewer, Jane worked in a Cotton Mill as a Drawing Frame Tender and Thomas, now aged 14 had left school and was working at the Mill as a Mule Piecer. The piecer, also piercer or scavenger, was the lowest child's job, they worked under the Mule machinery cleaning the dust and oil, collected the cotton waste while the macine was in operation. The collected pieces of cotton were then weaved by nimble little fingers back into the operation, a dangerous job made so by the Tenters refusal to stop the machine as they were paid by volume produced.

On the outbreak of war Nathaniel, by now time served but a Special Reservist, joined his Regiment on 24th August 1914, initially posted to 3rd (Reserve) Battalion he embarked to France to join 1st Battalion on 29th November. Nathaniel joined 1st Battalion where they were based at Mazingarbe near to Bethune, on 22nd December they moved into the front line. During this night Nathaniel was captured and became a POW, there is no clue in the diary whether he was part of a patrol or captured by a patrol whilst standing sentry is not shown, he was sent to Wittenberg POW camp for enlisted men (Kriegsgetangenenlager). Jane was initially notified that her husband was missing but in March 1915 the War Office recieved the International Red Cross notification of his POW status, Jane was given the good news that her husband was alive.

The conditions in the many camps in Germany varied greatly, at this time thousands of Allied soldiers had been taken prisoner in the early German  advances of the war causing overcrowding and extremely poor conditions especially in Wittenberg: there was no change of clothing, insufficient food and water and poor sanitation. The lack of water meant personal hygiene suffered and clothing went unwashed, the camp containing 8,000 men, was a breeding ground for disease. Nathaniel became ill with Typhus and died on 16th April 1915, he was buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery.

Jane was notified which must have come as an incredible blow, but she was awarded a pension of 23 shillings per week to keep her and the three children from the marriage. Nathaniel was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medals, these with his repatriated personal possessions, his identity discs and two medallions, Memorial Plaque and Scroll were also sent to Jane.

At this time Thomas was still working in the Cotton Mill but during the beginning of May 1915 he enlisted in the Lancashire Fusiliers and was posted to 15th (Service) Battalion (1st Salford) also known as the 1st Salford Pals. 15th and 16th Battalions were formed in September 1914 by the MP Mr Montague Barlow and Salford Committee in Salford, Manchester. The Pals Battalions were an initiative in the early stages of the war to encourage men to join up from various groups, work, sporting or socially based, they guaranteed that groups of friends could enlist, train and serve together. Whilst they seemed a good idea and were no doubt sucessful as a recruiting tool they were disastrous for the communities they represented at such events as the Somme Offensive in which the 1st Salfords were destroyed on that first day.

That same month, May 1915, the Pals moved to Prees Heath in Shropshire but the ground was too wet for training and on 21st June the Division moved to Catterick in North Yorkshire. Physical training, drill, route marches and time on the ranges at Strenshall all helped to hone the men into a fighting force, in August they moved again to Codford on Salisbury Plain for final training in readiness for mobilisation for war. On 22nd November 1915 they landed in Boulogne for duty on the Western Front. After a stop in a rest camp followed by instruction in the trenches the Pals joined the rotational duties between; front line, support and reserve lines, when out of the line they cleaned up trained and formed working or carrying parties. Their first offensive action was on 1st July 1916 at Thiepval Ridge where the whole Battalion was almost wiped out causing huge distress from the Manchester communities from which the men were drawn.

Thomas was not with the Pals at the Somme Offensive, it is not possible to say why as his file did not survive, but at some stage he was transferred to the Manchester Regiment with the number 44294. Initially posted to 18th (Service) Battalion (3rd City) he was transferred to 11th (Service) Battalion retaining the same number. 18th Battalion had landed in France on 6th November 1915, 11th Battalion had been formed at Ashton-Under- Lyne in August 1914. This Battalion has served in Gallipoli until December 1915 and then withdrawn from the Peninsular to Egypt, in July 1916 it had embarked to Marseille. Initially based in the Arras area 11th moved to the Somme in September, it stayed in France for the rest of the war. The most likely explanation for this transfer is that Thomas was wounded, evacuated for hospital treatment in England and on return to France was posted from an Infantry Base Unit to where the numbers were needed.

At the beginning of 1918 the Tank Corps was raising extra Battalions and took its manpower from both newly conscripted men and seasoned Infantry, Thomas was transferred to the Tank Corps and was posted to 18th Battalion with the number 308448. This Battalion was formed at Bovington Camp on 18th February 1918 under the command of Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) W Pepys DSO, in May he was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel H. E. Norton. The establishment at this time was 30 officers and 200 ranks and Thomas was typical of the majority of enlisted men transferred from the Infantry with an average of 18 to 24 months service. Training was split between eight schools; driving and maintenance, gunnery - six pounder and machine gun, reconnaissance, signal and carrier pigeon, camouflage, revolver, gas and lastly compass school.

In June 1918 18th Battalion lost some men sent to France as reinforcements to the formations fighting there, but in August they were reinforced by experienced men from the old E Company who had recently returned from Palestine. They also recieved 229 newly conscripted men mostly farmers and miners, at full compliment there were 32 officers and 374 men. The Battalion was divided into three Companies each with a mobile workshop for maintenance, and by 1918 the tank design had moved from MkI in 1916 to Mk V . Each tank had a crew of eight men; officer commander, a driver and six gunners. The tanks were of two types, a male which had sponsons on either side each containing a Hotchkiss 6-pounder gun with 207 rounds and four .303 Hotchkiss machine guns, the female version had six .303 machine guns. 

Pigeon released from Sponson of Femal Tank (IWM)

Male Mk V Tank

Female Mk V Tank

During September 1918 orders were recieved for 18th Battalion to mobilise to France, on 2nd October they sailed from Southampton and landed at Le Havre the following day, this must have been at least the third time that Thomas set foot in France. The main force stayed in number 2 rest camp until the 6th October while an advance party went ahead to arrange tented accommodation at a training camp near Mirlemont, here they were Brigaded with 16th Tank Battalion and the 301st American Tank Battalion. Tanks were loaned from the gunnery school to continue training which was completed on 9th and the Battalion stood by for instructions for deployment.

On 11th November 1918 hostilities ended and the Armistice signed bringing a ceasefire into effect at 11 a.m. On 14th November the Brigade moved to billets at Orlencourt and Monchy Breton where they took possession of tanks, despite some needing substantial repair such as a new engine or gear boxes the Battalion made ready for a war they never had to fight. On 1st January 1919 the first batch of men left for the UK and demobilisation, these first men were all miners a priority group to fuel the industrial rejuvenation of the country's industry.

Throughout the winter months of 1918 a daily record of men taken to hospital sick is noted in the diary, this is no doubt the effects of the Spanish Flu of that year, it is likely that Thomas was affected as he suffered bronchial problems at this time and later. Demobilisation continued until 20th February when the last draft of one officer and 118 men were sent home, on 6th February 1919 Thomas was demobilised and posted to the army reserve class Z. This was a new reserve category developed in response to the Armistice in the event of a return to hostilities those sent home could be recalled to duty, in the event the system was not needed and Thomas was discharged on 31st March 1920, he returned to Bridgewater Street, Farnworth but to number 161. He was suffering a Bronchial condition which was deemed a result of his service and a medical examination graded his condition a 20% disability, he was awarded a pension of 5 shilling and sixpence a week from 7th February 1919. A 1933 study of both living and deceased victims of wartime Mustard Gas by doctors Harry L. Gilchrist, M.D., and Philip B. Matz, M.D. revealed that one of the residual effects was chronic Bronchitis, this was the likely cause of Thomas's condition and at least one of his transfers.

One of the two pension cards in respect of Thomas's condition shows him to be married, however, the next available record is the 1939 Register which records him living at 62, Gordon Street, Farnworth, employed as a Furnaceman and married to Ann E. Hudson born 5th June 1894, her antecedents have been elusive to-date.

Thomas was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals, these with his character reference and accompanying letter from the Tank Corps are now in my collection.

 Thomas Alfred Hudson

Thomas's birth was registered in the third quarter of 1882 and he was baptised on 11th October at Eccles, St Mary, Lancashire, the family home where he was born was; 179 Ellesmere Street, Patricroft, Lancashire, a suburb of Eccles, Manchester. Thomas's father, Jessie, worked as a Groom and Warehouseman, by 1901 Thomas had left school and was employed with his elder brother as a Carter. By 1911 his mother, Jane, had given birth to five children all serving to this date, Thomas had left home to join the army but was back home on reserve working again as a Carter.

On 10th November 1902 Thomas joined the Lancashire Fusiliers in Manchester, on this date he declared his age as 20 years and three months which places his birthday in August 1882. He was single and still working as a Carter, he was 5'4¾" tall, average height for the time, brown hair, grey eyes with a fresh complexion. Given the number 9257 he was posted to 2nd Battalion at that time based at Tidworth in Wiltshire, after service in South Africa during the second Boer War. Thomas had signed for the normal 12 years service, three with the colours followed by nine as a reservist. In 1904 he was awarded a good conduct badge and sucessfully completed a Mounted Infantry Course at Aldershot no doubt due to his previous experience as a Carter. On 12th February 1905 he was transferred to the Reserve, this transfer was was not due until November 1905 and other than it was conducted under King's Regs and with his agreement there is no explanation.

As a reservist Thomas was expected to complete a minimum number of training days per year plus summer camps, this involved drill sessions and time on the Rifle range where a standard test had to be achieved. During this period he returned to his job as a Carter and on 15th April 1911 he married Maggie Parker at Salford Parish Church, on 26th April 1914 the couple were blessed with a son, Thomas Alfred.

Following the outbreak of war 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers who were stationed at Dover were mobilised and on 5th August sent out joining instructions to their reservists, Thomas reported for duty on 7th August 1914 and commenced training at the Regimental Depot, Wellington Barracks in Hull, he was posted to 3rd (Reserve) Battalion on 7th November which was based at Withernsea as part of the Humber Garrison. On 4th December he was posted back to 2nd Battalion who had embarked to France on 22nd August, Thomas landed in France on 22nd November 1914.

During 1914 2nd Battalion had been engaged in the Battles of Le Cateau, Marne, Aisne and Messines, they were in need of reinforcements and at some point after a stay in an Infantry Base Depot (IBD) Thomas joined his unit in the field. A draft of 80 reinforcements joined the Battalion on 24th November, 108 on 13th December and 25 on 23rd December, all three were after the cut off date for the award of the 1914 Star which was replaced with the 1914-15 Star. By Christmas 1914 Thomas was in the trenches with his Company, at this time the Battalion were in Billets in the Le Bizet area and rotating between front line, support and reserve trenches. 

Le Bizet top left, map courtesy GWF

They entered the front line on Christmas Eve relieving 1st King's Own (Lancaster Regiment), the following day the whole Western Front was quiet.

On this first Christmas Day of the war an unofficial truce took place along the length of the Western Front, the trenches had been decorated and presents passed, chaplains conducted services, Princess Mary tins containing cigarettes, pipes, tobacco or sweets with a picture of the Princess and a card from the King and Queen were passed out. As the morning continued carols were sung by both sides and an invite extended by the Germans to join them in their trench, a few went but gradually the two sides met in No-man's land where cigarettes were swapped and even balls kicked about. Private Tom Watson, a pre-war Carter wrote to his former employers about the day, (this may have been where Thomas was employed).

Excerpt from the Boulton Journal 8th January 1915

The following day was quiet again but shooting resumed with one man being killed, Private 7590 E Wood who had been in France since 7th October 1914. The 2nd came out of the line on 28th December and the were engaged digging a new command trench due to flooding.

On 30th April 1915 Thomas entered the casualty chain with a foot injury which kept him away from his unit until 27th May, in this time 2nd Battalion had engaged in the 2nd Battle of Ypres (22 - 25.5.15). Thomas rejoined his unit in a draft of 139 other ranks, the Battalion was in the reserve line, the following day they relieved a Battalion of the Essex Regiment in the front line north of Irish Farm.

On 5th July 1915 the 2nd moved to Elverdinghe Wood near Pilkem where they bivoucked for the night, that day elements of the Rifle Brigade and Somerset Light Infantry had attacked a length of German line known as International trench, (shown on later British maps as Canal Alley) and had captured about 500 yards. 2nd Battalion's role was to help with the consolidation and defence of the line and fierce fighting continued until 11th July.

Map courtesy GWF

The attack on this trench system was designed to alleviate the situation on the north of the Ypres Salient and diversionary to disguise a British attack at Hooge. During the evening of 6th July 2nd Battalion relieved the Rifles and commenced work to repair and improve the parapets in readiness for counter attacks, the men worked all night. The 2nd then remained in the trenches until the evening of 9th July when they were relieved by a Battalion of York and Lancaster Regiment. In these few days the fighting had been severe but the Germans were repelled and the positions held, the casualties reflect the nature of the battle: killed - seven officers, 79 other ranks, wounded - 10 officers, 201 other ranks and 19 other ranks missing.

Thomas survived this battle but on 31st July he entered the casualty chain with a shoulder and knee injury, on 6th August he was transferred from 10 General Hospital at Rouen on hospital ship St Andrew to England. He was posted to 3rd Battalion and on 9th November 1915 he was discharged from the army as his 12 years service was complete plus an extra year which under King's Regulations at that time could be imposed in times of emergency.

In January 1916 the Military Service Act was passed which introduced conscription and removed the right of serving soldiers to leave the army on completion of their 12 year period. Thomas may have been conscripted back into the army but their is no record of such, returning to civilian life he died in 1928.

Norman Lynes

 Norman Lynes

Norman's birth was registered in the first quarter of 1892 and he was baptised on 22nd February the same year in Swindon Wiltshire. When he joined up for WW1 he gave his age as 23 years and 11 months which places his birthday in November 1891. His father Frederick, a Turner/Fitter for the railways, died in December 1904 leaving his wife Anne and five children, two girls and three boys Norman being the fourth. The family home was 23 Carr Street, Swindon and in 1911 Norman was a student teacher for the County Council, following completion of his training he was a teacher at St Paul's School, Canonbury, London.

On 11th September 1914 Norman joined up at Hornsey, Middlesex (North London) on this day he declared previous military service with 1/10th Battalion Duke of Cambridge's (Middlesex) Regiment time expired. 1/10th Battalion being a Territotorial force Norman had served four years which was time served by September 1914, his medical examination records him to be 6' 2½" tall, exceptional for the time where the national average was 5' 3". Norman signed the Imperial Service Agreement meaning he was willing to serve abroad, he was posted to 2/7 Battalion and given the number 7/3082.

2/7th was formed at Hornsey in September 1914 as a second line unit and initially moved to Barnet and then Egham, near to where the Magna Carta was signed. In February 1915 they moved to Gibraltar where they undertook Garrison duty for one of the Regular formations moved to the Western Front. In August 1915 the Battalion moved to Egypt landing at Alexandria on the 31st, this location was classed as a war zone and Norman's entitlement to the 1914/15 Star is dated 1st September 1915.  Moving to Cairo in November they returned to Alexandria where they formed part of the Western Frontier Force.

British occupation of Egypt was opposed by some Arab groups and German money and support was able to generate offensive acts on British outposts. In August 1915 two British submarines taking shelter near Tripoli were fired on by a group of Arabs under the leadership of a European officer. In November the crews of two Royal Navy torpedo boats, the HMSvMoorina and Tara, landed near Cyrenaica and were captured by hostile elements of the Arab Senussi and held captive. Other attacks led to the hasty formation of the Western Frontier Force, a composite of various Yeomanry and Infantry formations at that time not involved in the defence of the Suez Canal. Amongst the Infantry units was 2/7th and 2/8th Battalions Middlesex Regiment.

Map of operations of Western Frontier Force (LLT).

On 11th December 1915 the force moved out from Mersa Matruh under the command of Major-General A. Wallace. Over the next few months the force increased adding artillery and armoured vehicles, they attacked camps which contained both Arab and Turkish forces and repelled attacks made on them killing and capturing hundreds of enemy soldiers.

Artistic Impression of an attack

In March 1916 intelligence from prisoners revealed the location where the two British naval crews were being held, an armoured car battery under the command of Major Hugh Arthur, Duke of Westminster quickly covered the 120 miles of desert attacked the camp and rescued the sailors without incurring casualties an action winning the Duke a DSO.

In May 1916 2/7th, their job in Africa done, moved to France to join the BEF landing at Marseilles on 15th, on arrival the whole Battalion was put into Quarantine due to an outbreak of Typhus. In June 1916 the 2/7th was disbanded, the men were located in an Infantry Base Depot from where they were posted to other formations. On 5th July Norman was posted to 1/7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment.

1/7th Battalion also of the Territorial Force had been embodied in August 1914 and sent to Gibralter for Garrison duty. Returning to the UK in February 1915 they sailed from Southampton landing at Le Havre the following day, when Norman joined them they were part of 167 Brigade of 56th (London) Division. The Battalion had experienced low losses for a Battalion on the Western Front and had become known as 'the lucky 7th'. On 5th July 1916 1/7th had come out of the front line and were in the village of Hebuterne in support positions. Norman arrived with a draft of 64 other ranks led by Lieutenant W Kay to replace losses of the Battalion's involvement at the Battle of Gommecourt on the opening day of the ongoing Somme offensive. Rotating in and out of the line in the Battalion moved to Gapennes at the end of August where it commenced attack training with tanks.

On 9th September the Battalion went through Maricourt to support lines on the edge of Maricourt Wood, they held these positions until 13th September during which time they had been subjected to heavy shelling, they lost four officers and 90 other ranks. These losses were not replaced before the Battalion lined up for their next attack on 15th September when they were only able to commit 500 other ranks to the Battle.

On 15th September 1916 the Somme offensive was being was being renewed on a six mile front between the villages of Courcelette on the left flank to Combles on the right, involving six Infantry Divisions. The 56th Division in which 1/7th and 1/8th Middlesex Battalions served were assigned to the extreme right of the front and whose overall job was to secure a strong flank. The system of wide front attack was dependent on a cohesive line being maintained to prevent the enemy counter attacking using outflanking manouvres or opportunities for enfilade fire which decimated formations. To achieve this 56 Division were to attack and clear enemy trenches in the area of Leuze and Bouleaux Woods, now a very open area containing stump remains of the trees. The woods were known by the British as Lousy and Bollocks Woods and had been heavily contested recently, leaving the battlefield uncleared of hundreds of bodies, left where had dropped it being impossible to recover them.

Trench Map of the Woods

1/7th Middlesex job was to give close support to 1st London Battalion who were to attack and hold the German trench running through Bouleaux Wood, on signal they would move forward through the Londons to take the next line. On the night of 14th September the Battalion moved up to positions in Leuze Wood the attacking Companies, A and C occupying a trench running diagonally through the wood, by midnight all were in position. At 6 a.m. an intense artillery bombardment commenced on the German positions, the lines were fronted by a deep protective barbed wire entanglement which should have been cut. To the left of the woods was a heavily fortified German position known as the Quadrilateral and containing concrete pill boxes, which had a clear field of fire over the woods, was also to be neutralised by artillery and other elements of 56th Division.

Map showing Quadrilateral

At 6.20 a.m all along the front whistles blew and a creeping barrage commenced for the attacking Infantry to move forward behind, this could not be used in 56th Divisions area due to the narrow gap between the front lines. Encouraged on by officers and NCO'S the 1st Londons went over the top and attacked, the German defensive wire had not been cut, they were held up 50 yards from their objective and cut to pieces by enemy fire. Communication was lost and it was unclear what had happened so at 8.20 a.m. the order was given for A and C Companies to attack. Again the whistles blew, the leaders shouted encouragement and over the top the men went confident the artillery had been effective and that the tanks they had trained with would be a decisive factor. Three of the 49 new Mk1 tanks of the Heavy Branch Machine Gun Corps assigned to the offensive were to support 56th Division, these lumbering beasts had been kept a top secret but had a top speed of four miles per hour. One failed to start, one reached a first trench, was hit by a shell and could not move, it did however continue to fire its guns on German positions. The third kept to the left of the woods but didn't stop where if would have been useful.

There was a lull in the firing but when the two Companies reached the 1st Londons they were subjected to intense artillery, machine gun and rifle fire. From the right they were enfiladed by a number of heavy Maxim guns, A Company took the full force of this fire the Company Commander and two second Lieutenants were killed instantly and the third officer mortally wounded. Both Companies took fire from the Quadrilateral to their left, the guns from both directions had already zeroed their guns on the Londons and the fire was instantaneously on target and devastating. The fire from both flanks and the front created a killing ground from which few were to escape. C Companies officers were incapacitated, the Commander and one second Lietenant were killed outright and the other two severely injured.

Both reserve Companies, B and D, were pushed forward at 11 a.m. but the same fate awaited them, again losses were heavy and both Company Commanders were killed.

1/8th Middlesex were sent forward and attacked in the North west area of Bouleaux Wood, they made little headway and were sent orders to hold where they stood. By the evening of 15th September survivors held the former German front line in Bouleaux Wood which they had managed to enter on the left side of the wood and cleared it with grenade and bayonet under the leadership of Sergeant Groves. About 40 German prisoners had surrendered and were hustled out of the trench to get to British positions to go into captivity, unfortunately no one else was aware and they were mown down by both sides. The survivors held their positions and although they were running low of ammunition, repelled a strong counter attack running out of bombs. Some of the defensive wire was dragged to the new front and the positions consolidated to hold against any further attack, as dusk fell some of the wounded were evacuated to an aid station in Leutze Wood and a few officers and reinforcements from the 1/7th reserve arrived to reinforce the defence. The following day, 16th September 1916 was quiet, snipers were active and a further five men were killed and 11 wounded, however, the survivers held their positions until relieved that night, the 1/7th withdrew from the battle.

Of the 500 men committed to the battle over  400 were killed including all four Company commanders, two CSMs and eight Sergeants, wounded or were missing, Norman was counted in this last statistic and his family notified. It is unclear where in the battle Norman fell unfortunately it is rare that a man's Company appears on his file, there is an indication he may have been in D Company which places him in the reserve Companies committed at 11 a.m. Some effort was made to recover the bodies a few days later and most of the officers identified, Norman was not but by the time the area was safe to recover the dead not many men were. There was little doubt that Norman was killed, no enquiry record exists in the POW Red Cross files, but his status of presumed dead was not changed for a long time. In fact during the Spring of 1917 the whole Territorial Force was re-numbered each Regiment being allocated blocks of 5,000 numbers, Norman was actually allocated a new number TF/208876. His status was finally changed on 27th July 1917 his file marked as; "accepted as dead".

Norman left £2.2s.5d to which a war gratuity of 8.10s was added, this with his 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals, Memorial Plaque and Scroll were forwarded to his mother Anne. Anne had a Memorial stone made which she placed on the grave of her husband, on it is carved a line from his last letter home, "There Is No Victory Without Sacrifice". Norman is also commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, pier 12D face 13B, one name amongst 72331 men lost during the Somme Offensive of 1916 who have no known grave.

George Arthur Wells

 George Arthur Wells

George was born in February 1892 in Newington, Hull, and baptised on 6th March the same year. His father George was a self employed Greengrocer and his mother, Asinath had given birth to two children, George and the year before a girl, Florence. In 1911 George Senior was working as an Agent of the Fruit Commision whilst George Junior was a Clark in a Merchants office, the family was then living at 26, Malm Street Boulevard, Hull.

On 5th September 1914 George answered the call to arms and enlisted at Wenlock Barracks, Hull in the East Yorkshire Regiment, given the number 10/738 he was posted to 10th (Service) Battalion (1st Hull). Formed in Hull on 29th August 1914 by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding Territorial Force Association, 10th was assigned to 92nd Brigade of 31st Division and was commonly known as the Hull Commercial Battalion. 92nd Briade consisted of four Battalions called the Hull Pals, the other three; 11th - Hull Tradesmen, 12th - Hull Sportmen and 13th Hull T'others, reflect the areas from which the recruits had been drawn. This early trend in recruitment allowed groups of Pals from the same workplace or social groups to join and serve together, it was later abandoned due to the detrimental effect on communities when grave losses occurred.

East Yorkshire Regiment Cap Badge

The Commercials commenced training locally using the fairground at Walton Street for drill, their was no barracks or camp available and the men continued living at home. Neither was there sufficient uniform or arms available but piece by piece the men were equipped and slowly transformed from civilians, wearing just an armband in Battalion colours, to soldiers. In November 1914 khaki uniforms arrived and the 10th were sent to Hornsea Yorkshire for defence duties on a stretch of coast from Mappleton to Ulrome. On arrival the camp was unfinished and a sea of mud, 60 men were crammed into each 30 man hut, none of which had windows or doors. A consignment of aged Lee Enfield rifles arrived for issue and the War Office enquired as to their efficiency, the CO Lieutenant Colonel A J Richardson is reputed to have responded, "the rifles will certainly go off, doubtful which end". In February 1916 George spent three days in a Voluntary Aid Detachement hospital in Hornsea with Follicular Tonsilitis.

In June 1915 10th moved to South Camp Ripon and then in September to Hurdcott camp, Fovant where training continued in earnest on Salisbury Plain, here they recieved new SMLE rifles and commenced musketry training. In November orders were recieved to mobilise to France but at the last minute these were recinded and on 7th December the Division embarked from Devonport sailing to Egypt where they joined the Suez Canal defences based a Quantara. In February 1916 further orders mobilised the Division from Port Said where they embarked on HMT Tunisian to Marseille to join the BEF.

Arriving in France on 7th March 1916 the 10th moved by train and route march to Englebelmer where in groups they recieved instruction in the trenches from 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. On 28th March the 10th relieved 12th Royal Irish Rifles in the front line between Beamont Hamel and Y Ravine, commencing their first tour in the trenches under their own supervision. The relief was carried out between 9 and 11 p.m. and went without incident, the night passed quietly as this sector was considered to be inactive and ideal for training and acclimatisation of new formations. The German artillery became active the following day, 29th of March, and at 6.15 p.m. during stand to they fired a Minenwerfer into the Battalions positions which killed one man. The weather was very cold and some snow was falling.

'Stand to' was short for 'stand to arms' which was a practise observed every evening and morning to guard against enemy attack which invariably occurred during the hour of darkness after dusk and before dawn.  Each man stood on the fire step facing the enemy with loaded rifle and fixed bayonette, if no attack occurred after morning stand to the men made breakfast and consumed their daily rum ration. It is ironic that the practise was adopted by both sides who would be guarding against attack at the same time and became known as 'the morning hate', the tension was often relieved by machine gun and rifle fire at the opposing trench.

Trench System at Beaumont Hamel

On 30th March 1916 at 5 a.m. George was stood to when a snipers bullet hit and killed him, he was buried in Auchonvillers Military Cemetery and his family notified. George left £2.5.10 which with a war gratuity of £6.10s was given to his mother. George was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medals which along with a Memorial Plaque and Scroll was also sent to Asenath.

 Arthur Frederick Rawson

Arthur was born in 1892, his birth was registered in the first quarter of that year but in a much later document he gave his birth date as 29th May 1892, this obviously is not possible. His place of birth was St Lukes in Derbyshire where his father, Thomas Wigley worked as a house painter for local lace makers Fletchers, while his mother had eight children, six of whom survived until 1911. In that census all six surviving children were living at home, Arthur the oldest was employed as a Corset Cutter for Coopers Corsets.

Following the outbreak of WW1 the local MP for South Derbyshire, (later Sir), Herbert Raphael, who had held a commision at the turn of the century joined up as a private in the Royal Fusiliers. In June 1915 he was granted a commision as Major and started to raise the 18th (Service) Battalion (Arts & Crafts) King's Royal Rifle Corps at Gidea Park, Romford London. On 21st August 1915 Arthur travelled to Gidea Park and joined the Battalion being given the number C6925. Major Raphael MP was prominent in the Arts and Craft movement of the day which inspired the Battalion's title, served as its second in command and later in 1916 raised the 23rd (Reserve) Battalion in which he was also second in command.

The Battalion moved to Whitley Camp Surrey where training continued, the formation was assigned to 122nd Brigade of 41st Division. The Battalion's training continued at Whitley and Aldershot until they were deemed fit for war, on 2nd May 1916 they entrained to Southampton where they boarded two ships bound for France. The passage was smooth but very slow due to a thick fog, they arrived in Le Havre in the early hours of the morning of 3rd May and marched to No. 1 Rest Camp which was a hard march up a high hill. On 5th May the Battalion moved to Moulenacher where they went into billets to prepare for the trenches. They recieved instruction on gas and were marched through a tear gas filled trench with their gas helmets on then again without the any protection. This exposure to a harmless but debilitating substance is a lesson not forgotten, reinforces the need to carry the mask at all times and don it quickly in the event of an attack. Over the next few days the Battalion recieved instruction in trenches at Ploegsteert Wood, nicknamed Plugstreet this was a quiet location following fierce fighting during 1914/15 and was now a recuperation and training area. On 30th May they took over a section of the line north of Ploegsteert under their own supervision and experienced their first fatality when one man was killed.

On 7th August 1916 Arthur entered the casualty chain with an abcess on his right hand, a painful condition requiring the puss to be drained and the wound healed before returning to duty 10 days later. Even small open wounds were often dealt with in a clinical environment to avoid the filth of the trenches causing Cepsis.

Early in September 1916 the Battalion moved to the Somme to engage in its first offensive action in the Battale of Flers-Courcelette. At 9 p.m. on 14th September the Battalion occupied a front line trench in anticipation of the attack. At 6.15 a.m the following morning the attack began behind the cover of a creeping barrage, the waves were each of 150 men from headquarters, A and Arthur's D Company, the first and second line objectives were taken . 

Trench Map of Attack

The casualties on this first day were high, seven officers, including the commanding officer and Company Comanders, and 57 other ranks killed, seven officers and 227 other ranks wounded three of whom died and 59 men missing. The 274 men still able to fight were reorganised in Savoy trench by a Captain from the Transport lines who had come forward to assume command, they held this position until relieved on 18th September.

On 7th October the Battalion  joined the attack during the Battle of Transloy Ridges, the artillery bombardment preceded the Infantry assault at 1.45 p.m. Two Battalions went forward followed in close support by Arthur's Battalion. The attack was successful both objectives reached but the assault was held up by machine gunfire causing 18th Battalion to dig a new support line 200 yards in front of the old front line. The casualties were; all ranks - 84. They held the newly dug line until relieved on 11th October. Out of the line the Battalion reorganised and trained at Dernancourt, settling down to rotational duties in and out of the trenches, while out they rested, cleaned, trained and formed working parties.

On 28th May 1917 Arthur appeared before the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Kitching, for disobedience to orders, he had been found eating Iron Rations in a billet contrary to standing orders. The Iron rations were emergency supplies for use in the trenches or during an attack when cooked food could not be brought forward or prepared in situ. They comprised; 1 lb. preserved meat, 3 oz. cheese, 12 oz. biscuit, 5/8 oz. tea, 2 oz. sugar, 1/2 oz. salt and 1 oz. meat extract. The biscuits were also referred to as hardtack were made from flour, water and salt, baked making them very hard. To make them edible they were softened in tea or broken up in cloth, due to general poor dental hygiene of the day recruits often had to undergo dental treatment in order to be able to eat them.

 

Field punishment no 1 could be administered at Battalion level up to 28 days, anything more required a court martial. The practise had been developed when flogging had been abolished and involved the individual being tied to a post, fence or cart wheel for up to two hours per day, three days out of four. In the early part of WW1 the arms were tied outstretched, probably left over from flogging, consequently the practise was known as crucifixion. By the time Arthur underwent his punishment it was as per the diagram.

During 1917 the Battalion were involved in the Battles of Messines, Pilkem Ridge, Menin Road Ridge and the operations on the Flanders Coast, all being part of the Third Battle of Ypres. Following their involvement in this offensive 18th Battalion moved to the Italian Front moving by train, during their short stay they went into the line near the river Piave north west of Treviso. In February 1918 the Battalion was ordered back to the Western Front.

On 23rd April 1918 Arthur was admitted to 139 Field Ambulance with a Goitre, a swelling of the neck caused by a problem with the Thyroid gland. Inititially it was diagnosed as simple but clearly it worsened as Arthur was transferred to 64 casualty clearing station and from there to 64 General Hospital. On 27th April 1918 Arthur was transported to England on Hospital Ship Cambria, following treatment Arthur was examined by a medical board and classified Bii which restricted him to service in communication lines.

In September 1918 Arthur was transferred to 579th Employment Company of the Labour Corps which covered Eastern Command. Made up of elderly, B and C category and recuperating soldiers the men were subject to regular medicals and reassigned to Infantry Battalions if their health improved. The men were categorised by the work they were most suited to such as; cook, storeman or caretaker, sanitary duty, orderly, clerk, tailor, salvage, laundry, traffic control or telephone operator. Before Arthur became fit again for war, it ended, in March 1919 he was sent to the dispersal centre in Clipstone Camp and was demobilised on the 15th. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Returning to live with his parents at Orchard Cottage, Mickleover, Derby he married Elsie Fletcher on 3rd April 1920. The couple settled at 137 Station Road, Repton and went back to his prewar occupation as a Cloth Cutter. In 1939 Arthur, now a Cloth Machinist, and Elsie were still at the same address, Arthur died in 1966 aged 72.

Ernest Ash

Ernest Ash

Born in 1898 in the village of Notgrove Gloucestershire Ernest's surname was registered as Ash, however, on 1st May that year he was baptised in St Bartholomew Parish Church, Notgrove and the recorder spelt the name Ashe. Ernest's father was a Slater's labourer and in 1901 the family were resident at Notgrove Cottages fourth from the Rectory. At that time there were six children of whom Ernest was second youngest aged three. By 1911 the family had moved to Salford Road, Bidford upon Avon Warwickshire, Ernest now aged 13 was still at school and his mother, Amelia, had successfully birthed eight children all who had survived to that date.

By 1916 Ernest had left school, was still living at home and was employed as a Grocers Aòssistant. He answered his call up on 10th May and gave his age as 18 and five months old, this places his birthday at the beginning of January 1898. Under the new Conscription legislation a pledge had been made not to send men under 19 years of age to the front and Ernest was sent home his service deferred.

Ernest was mobilised on 2nd December 1916 and was posted to the newly formed 92nd Training Battalion to complete basic training and given the number TR/666. The 92nd was formerly 17th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment and was based at Chisledon, near Swindon, Salisbury within easy reach of all the training facilities buit up on Salisbury Plain. Recruits to these new training Battalions were not designated to a particular Regiment and in place of a cap badge wore a general service button, on completion of training they could be sent where the numbers were needed.

GS Button

On 21st January 1917 Ernest was hospitalised with Scabies, an itchy skin condition caused by tiny mites burrowing into the skin, for four days. Following completion of his basic training on 13th March he was posted to the Machine Gun Corps and given the number 88497.

The machine gun training centre for Infantry was at Belton Park near Grantham. There was a lot to learn from basic drill patterns specific to the role, laying the gun, cleaning, maintenence and repair of the gun, loading and unloading the general service wagons. In the classroom there were lessons on direct and indirect fire, barrage fire, range finding, rate of fire, target identification and ballistics. On the range all these skills were brought together and on completion of the course Ernest qualified as a machine gunner. For the first time Ernest recieved insignia which made him part of a Regiment.

                 MGC Cap Badge.                                             Machine Gunner Sleeve Badge

On 14th May 1917 Ernest embarked from Folkestone and landed at Boulogne the same day, his draft was taken to an Infantry Base Depot at Camiers from where he was posted to 11th Machine Gun Company serving with 4th Division.

11th Company was formed in December 1915 when the Machine Gun Corps was commenced. The Vickers and Maxim heavy machine guns were removed from Battalions and replaced with the lighter Lewis Gun and the Companies were allocated to Divisions. When Ernest joined them they were out of the line training having just been engaged in the Arras Offensive.

11th Company was made up of a CO Major or Captain, 2IC was a Captain or Lieutenant and four sections with two Subalterns per section the most senior being in charge. Each section was split into two subsections with a Sergeant as 2IC. Each section had four guns,, either Vickers or Maxim, the latter becoming obsolete were gradually replaced. Each gun had six men, all were trained in each others roles.

No. 1 - fired the gun and carried the tripod, responsible for cleaning and maintaining the gun, placing the tripod and assisting to mount the gun.

No. 2 - assists at the gun, carries the gun and mounts it. Secures the condensing tube and feeds the gun, carries the first aid kit and watches for commands.

No. 3 - responsible for the supply of ammunition, attaching the condenser can half full of water and carrying out minor repairs on the gun.

No 4 - assists 3, supplies ammunition and water and spare parts from the spares box.

No 5 and 6 - spare. But all men were trained to fulfill all the roles.

On 25th May a Brigade parade was held for the handing out of medal ribbons, 11th Coy recieved one - MC, one DCM and nine MM's, this brought their total since formation to three - MC's, one DCM, and nine MM's. An inspiring event for the new member Ernest, but, with reward in war there is always great danger. Machine gun positions were a prime target for artillery by both sides, of the 170,000 members of the Corps in the two years ten months of WW1 in which it existed, 62,000 men became casualties, 34.8%. A few days later a French Medaille Militaire was added to the Companies tally.

The days out of the line were spent on range practise, gun care, sports and competitions, lectures in new equipment such as the Barr and Stroud range finder care of animals and church parades. A typical day started at 7 a.m. (30.5.17) with a run, ablutions and breakfast, 9-10, lecture on the role of machine gun in an offensive, 10-12.30, gun placement construction, lunch, 2-4 football.

On 10th June the Company moved back to Arras, the following day at 4 p.m. they moved back into the line on the River Scarpe and relieved 36 Company MGC. The relief went without incident and was completed by 12 midnight, this first trench tour for Ernest lasted until 26th June. A programme of harassing fire was undertaken from positions in Rouex Wood, the target being enemy communication lines, each night 6-7000 rounds were expended. On relief the Company went to Fife Camp and the following day was spent cleaning equipment and taking baths. At this point the Company strength was ten officers and 184 other ranks.

Trench map showing gun positions and fields of harassing fire.

On 3rd July the Company CO, Major Westrop DSO, MC was posted to another Division, command was handed to the most senior officer Lieutenant Basil Corballis who was promoted to Captain. Whilst out of the line the training programme was adhered to and lasted until 12th July when they returned to the front. On 17th July 1917 at 7.05 a.m. a German aircraft flying at 400 feet was reconnoitering along the British front line, dropping alternate red and white flares and its machine gunner was firing into the trench, one of the Companies guns was able to engage it but unfortunately did not bring it down. The Germans were marking the line for their artillery no doubt. This tour lasted until 28th July when relieved they went to billets in Middlesex Camp. Returning to the training programme a day of levity was spent on Brigade swimming sport, the Company won two competitions and the 'Duck on the greasy pole' event.

At the beginning of September the Company moved to Pommier, standing orders included; walking out dress was belt and PH helmet (gas) plus no fruit to be picked in the area, no doubt the last following complaints by farmers.

Vickers Machine Gunners WW1 Wearing PH Helmets

Later in September 1917 the Company moved by train to the Poperinghe area where they were billeted at Pilch Camp. On the night of 1st/2nd October they moved back into the line in preparation for the attack scheduled for the 4th, the Battle of Broodseinde part of the 3rd Battle of Ypres otherwise known as Passchendaele. The gun positions were carefully located to give fields of fire to both sides of the assaulting Battalion and barrage fire up and over onto positions in front of them. With two days rations for 4th and 5th of October the gun teams waited in anticipation of zero hour scheduled for 6 a.m. on the 4th.

4th Division in the Langemark area

To disguise the timing of the attack British artillery had laid practise barrages down from 27th September which increased to two barrages per day from 1st October. The plan was to commence a Hurricane bombardment, (very quick and intense), at zero hour followed by a creeping barrage in front of the assaulting Infantry, on the second lift the machine guns were to commence firing. In antipation of the attack the German artillery commenced firing on the British lines at 5.30 a.m. and 15 minutes later the target areas encompassed 11th Companies positions. Ernest's section were located in White Trench near White House and had eight guns engaged in Barrage fire, they were subjected to a particularly intense bombardment at 6 a.m. three guns were destroyed, eight men killed and 16 wounded, Ernest was one of those killed.

Ernest's location on the battlefield

Of the eight men killed three of the men's bodies were not recovered, including Ernest, these men are commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He left £4.14.9 to his mother Amelia which was added to by the minimum war gratuity of £3, the British War, Victory Medals, Memorial Plaque and Scroll were sent to Amelia after the war.

In 2017 the Royal British Legion commissioned the design and manufacture of a special poppy pin to commemorate the Battle of Passchendaele. As with the Somme 100 pins the metal is formed from shell fuses and the red pigment from finely ground soil from the battlefield. Mine is dedicated to Ernest.

Passchendaele 100 pin