Sherwood Foresters 5th Battalion December 1916

[Guest clairem23]

Casualty Details

Name:SERGINSON, WILLIAMInitials:WNationality:United KingdomRank:PrivateRegiment/Service:Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)Unit Text:1st/5th Bn.Age:41Date of Death:29/12/1916Service No:4404Additional information:Husband of Mary Serginson, of 41, Howe St., Derby.Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:I. H. 34.Cemetery:FONCQUEVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY

William Serginson was my great grandfather and I would like to learn anything regarding the movements and activities of his batallion during December 1916.

Also, I have the MOD letter confirming the above details but wonder how to go about finding out if there are any further service records I can get access to - or whether they were all destroyed. Do I again contact the National Archives people and ask them to look him up?

William signed up at 40 years of age to fight for a free life for his six children. By word of mouth I have learned that prior to December 1916 he had been partially deafened by shell fire and didn't hear the warning of incoming fire and so suffered a fatal hit. Obviously I would like to confirm as much of this as possible through official channels.

Many thanks for any help

[BRONNO]

The end of 1916 had brought a good deal of sickness, Lt/Col Beaumont Henry Checkland M.C. Commanding., had returned to England. Major John David Kerr 2nd/IC was also on sick leave so the command devolved on Major Naylor who became Lt/Col but he also had to go to hospital, Major Capron of the 6th North Staffs assumed command for a while.

Christmas Day the 5th Battalion was out of the line in divisional reserve at Souastre. Total casualties since September were two officers wounded and five evacuated sick, other casualties ten killed, 19 wounded and 72 sick but there was no casualties during the month of November.

Position of 5th Battalion Notts and Derby Regt December 1916.

18th December 1916.

Relieved 6th Battalion in X.1 Sub sector.

19th-21st.

In trenches - During enemy raid on trenches of our left Battn. (7th SHERWOOD FORESTERS) on 19th, enemy heavily bombarded our Battalion front for about 2 hours, commencing at 8.30 p.m. causing considerable damage to our trenches and inflicting 5 Casualties.

22nd.

Relieved by 6th SHERWOOD FORESTERS and moved into Divn'l Reserve at SOUASTRE.

23rd-25th.

In Divisional Reserve.

26th.

Relieved 6th SHERWOOD FORESTERS in X.1. Subsector.

27th-29th.

In trenches.

30th.

Relieved by 6th SHERWOOD FORESTERS and moved into Bde. Support.

BRONNO.

[connaughtranger]

Hi

On the 5th December took over the front line at Fon©quevillers, 2 Companies and HQ at Souastre and 2 Companies garrisoning strong points in front of the village and further south towards Hébuterne. Trenches in very poor condition, liquid mud and chalk. On 18th came under a bombardment when the enemy attempted a raid on the 7th Sherwoods on the left; resulted in 5 casualties

Christmas day out of the line at Souastre. Recorded as not being boisterous but at least dry, warm and Christmas fare available. Presents arrived from home and there was entertainment and sing-songs. With the poor weather drying rooms were organised and small groups were able to go each day to have their feet dried, warmed and massaged. Clean socks were provided too.. The only mention of active work was the 2 or more fighting patrols that nightly went into No-Man's Land. No encounters with the enemy are mentioned

It would seem that Pte Sergison was killed by sniper or shell-fire although the history doesn't emphasise anything aggressive going on at that time. Sickness seems to have been the prevalent problem

[jandasan]

I do not really know anything about William's war service unfortunately but I do have a bit of information about his wife and her family if that will be of interest to you.

Best wishes.

Janine

(jandasan@btinternet.com)

[Pmana]

Hello,

Sorry I can add help to any of the questions in the Forum but do have questions of my own.

I’m new into using this forum and looking for info on the 5th Notts and Derby as my grandfather, 2 brothers and his father all served. Not much has filtered down the line from the family except 2 photos and the 3 service medals. No service records because of the burnt collection problem. And so any info would be welcome. By accident a uniformed picture of one of my great uncles and his comrade came to light because another family had the image and it passed into the local village record. So I know lucky breaks can happen and if anyone has anything on the following four I would appreciate a contact

My grandfather was Private Stephen Bollington 2396, and later renumbered as 200498. Enlisted 4/sept/1914 and landed in France 3/mar/1915 with 1/5th Notts and Derby. I have no definition of companies or units below that. His Red Cross record shows him captured unwounded at Lens on 1/july/1917, interned first at Douai and then at Dulmen. He lost an eye in captivity labouring in a flint mine (as is the family story) and was awarded a small pension and silver war badge.

My great uncle was Corporal Herbert Bollington, 1/5th Notts and Derby regiment, 3855 and later renumbered 201211. No evidence on his date of joining or even if he served in France though family hearsay is that he did and his medal record exists, but not showing 1914 or 1915 star. Herbert survived the war.

My great uncle was John Edward Bollington, Notts and Derby Regiment, 20627. He might have been promoted Corporal but I am not sure. His medal index shows that he served in the 12th battalion followed by the 2/5th Battalion, followed by the 12th battalion again. Entered France on 29 August 1915 (When the 12th Pioneer Battalion went out) and has 1915 star. Survived the war and placed on class z on the 25 January 1919.

My great grandfather was Sapper Edward Bollington, 112795 Royal Engineers. Entered into France 14 August 1915 and discharged from service on 25 February 1916 as medically unfit for service. I have been looking enough to be given a copy of his medical assessment that confirmed he was in the 175th tunnelling company. The record shows victory and service medal, 1915 star and silver war badge.

If anyone can help me with any references for these four I would be most grateful for any advice given