Calvin Sandcraft Posted 20 November , 2008 Share Posted 20 November , 2008 Hi I would love to know the precise details of where the 10th Essex Regiment were at the end of September 1917. My Grandfather 14952 private Alfred Sandcraft was reported missing on 30th September 1917. He was very badly wounded and taken a prisoner of war. If anyone has the 10th Essex war diaries and can tell me this information I would be most grateful. Also are there any casualty lists and was he reported missing in them? Many thanks Calvin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 20 November , 2008 Share Posted 20 November , 2008 Calvin The War Diary for 10 Essex is under WO95/2038 and runs from Jul 1915 to Apr 1919. The major happenings for Sept 1917 were at Third Ypres (Passchendaele). My library book on those battles mentions the 10 Essex, it's parent outfits 53 Brigade of 18 Division,engaged in the Battle of Passchendaele Ridge on the 12 October,but nothing shown for any earlier battles there,but they may have been in the line and not put out on an attack. In these times there were huge amounts of fire,counter-fire and counter-attacks,and I have read of units being isolated and many soldiers captured on both sides. Someone here may have some of the Diary which could help you,otherwise Kew Archives do provide pages for payment at the rate of 8.50 per 10 pages. If you order,say,from 20 September forward you should easily get the days you want,including an overlap just in case more info was written a few days after the event.You need the National Archives Catalogue Digital Express service for this. Sotonmate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owen4256 Posted 20 November , 2008 Share Posted 20 November , 2008 He was reported wounded and prisoner in the War Office Weekly Casualty List of 31.1.18 Sandcroft 14952 A (Thetford) He was also reported POW again in the War Office List of 28.5.18 which was published in the Times on 30.5.18 (available on line) At the end of September 1917 the Battalion was at out of the line at Roubrouck, moving to St Janster Bienzen on the 23rd. The diary records company and Lewis gun training. No casualties. What is the source of the "Missing" report? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wainfleet Posted 21 November , 2008 Share Posted 21 November , 2008 Calvin There is a book by ex-officers Banks and Chell called With the 10th Essex in France and Flanders. It is quite a small book but not a bad read. Not impossible to find, and it may even be reprinted. Regards W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick H Posted 21 November , 2008 Share Posted 21 November , 2008 I believe you can buy it on Amazon. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 21 November , 2008 Share Posted 21 November , 2008 Calvin There is a book by ex-officers Banks and Chell called With the 10th Essex in France and Flanders. It is quite a small book but not a bad read. Not impossible to find, and it may even be reprinted. Regards W. I have a copy. Nice little book. I'll have a look in it this evening to see if there's anything relevant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 21 November , 2008 Share Posted 21 November , 2008 As Owen says, battalion out of the Line. The battalion history and the divisional history say nothing about any action in the period. Is it possible he was on a working party or something and somehow was captured? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calvin Sandcraft Posted 22 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 22 November , 2008 Hi Sotomate thanks for the info Calvin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calvin Sandcraft Posted 22 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 22 November , 2008 He was reported wounded and prisoner in the War Office Weekly Casualty List of 31.1.18 Sandcroft 14952 A (Thetford) He was also reported POW again in the War Office List of 28.5.18 which was published in the Times on 30.5.18 (available on line) At the end of September 1917 the Battalion was at out of the line at Roubrouck, moving to St Janster Bienzen on the 23rd. The diary records company and Lewis gun training. No casualties. What is the source of the "Missing" report? Owen Where do I find the War Office Weekly Casualty List of 31.1.18? Was this also published in the Times? Thanks for the info, I shall now have a look at the Times online. The source of the ''Missing'' report was from a parish magazine called ''The Breckland Magazine'' published during the war. This magazine printed news from the troops at the front, was distributed around the local parishes and also sent back out to the troops. In this way the men at the front saw their own words in print and recieved news of their fellow Brecklanders. It could be possible he was wounded and taken POW before this date, maybe August or early September Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calvin Sandcraft Posted 22 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 22 November , 2008 Thanks for your time and effort Steven I shall try and get a copy of the book by Banks and Chell Thanks also to Wainfleet and Patrick H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owen4256 Posted 23 November , 2008 Share Posted 23 November , 2008 Calvin If you want a copy of the War Office Weekly Casualty List, you could go to the British Newspaper Library in Colindale. Wait an hour to get the microfilm and then spend many happy minutes searching for the relevant section. Or make do with the scan of the photocopy of the printout of the microfilm attached: Regards Owen Under Heading WOUNDED AND PRISONER IN GERMAN HANDS . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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