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Remembered Today:

lancashire fusiliers 20th btn


sreedjennings

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pte percival hebblewhite was killed in action 22.10.1917 with the lancashire fusiliers 20th battalion on 'tyne cot memorial' trying to find out more about his circumstances at that time or lancashire fus involvment in the campaign, he came from north lincs

sandra reed-jennings

lincolnshire

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The 20th Lancashire Fusiliers attacked Houthulst Forest on the 22nd October losses were :- one officer killed five wounded twenty seven other ranks killed one hundred and sixty eight wounded and twelve missing. Two DCMs , three MMs and one bar to the MM awarded to the 20th in this action.Ralph.

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pte percival hebblewhite was killed in action 22.10.1917 with the lancashire fusiliers 20th battalion on 'tyne cot memorial' trying to find out more about his circumstances at that time or lancashire fus involvment in the campaign, he came from north lincs

sandra reed-jennings

lincolnshire

The Attack at HOUTHULST Forest, on the 22nd October 1917 17th 18th and 20th Battalions at about 11am the Brigade commander ordered up two companies of the 20th battalion they advanced under Capt W.A. Swarbrick through very heavy shell fire and took up a position with their right at Aden House. The rest of the 20th battalion was ordered to occupy the original front line as a defensive postion. One Officer and 27 other Ranks killed with 12 missing from the 20th Battalion. ( Well Done Ralph )

Regards Peter

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From the Diary of the L/Fs :- ..... moreover there still existed a dangerous gap on the right of the 18th. To fill it the brigade commander at about 11 am ordered up two companies of the 20th battalion. They advanced under Capt W A Swarbrick through heavy shell fire and took up a position with their right at Aden House. They were well installed by 12 noon and sent out officers patrols to a distance of about 5oo yards to the north-east in order to gain touch with the division on the right if possible. Soon after these companies had moved forward, the rest of the 20th battalion was ordered to occupy the original front line as a defensive position. Early in the afternoon,as the state of affairs became clearer to them, the Germans opened artillery fire on these positions and seriously delayed the arrival of "X" Company of the 20th Battalion at its allotted position in reserve. The 20th Battalion were was to be responsible for the sector from Aden House to the huts, the 18th from the huts to the junction of two rides in the Forest, and the 17th thence to the main road, the 23rd Manchesters being withdrawn to reserve.About two hours later word came back that the Germans were massing in the Forest with evident intention of couner-attacking. (They attacked and were repulsed) CSM R Moyse of the 20th played a usefull part in the repulse of this attack. Part of his company had been detached, but he reorganised it and led it forward to fill a gap in the line under heavy fire, and by his skilful dispositions and good leadership contributed much to the repulse of the Germans. ..... Patrols from "Y" company of the 20th tried repeatedly to get into touch with the brigade on the right, though they did not succeeed in doing so until noon the following day. A more ambitious venture was carried out by 20 men of "Z" company of the same battalion under 2nd L/t H A Harris.The Brigadier suspected that the huts tat have been mentioned were harbouring the machine-guns that had caused havoc to the Manchesters, and that he ordered that they should be occupied if possible. The party was supported by a platoon of "X" company under 2nd L/t R S Parry desined for the occupation of the huts if they were taken. The expedition set out at 2 am on the 23rd preceded by L/cpl Grundy and two men as scouts." (considerable casualties)

Your man had obviously been killed by this time, but it gives you some idea as to what was going on. Hope this helps.Regards Ralph.

John H beat me to it but I have just typed all this with one finger and refuse to delete it --- so there !!!!!!

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From the Diary of the L/Fs :- ..... moreover there still existed a dangerous gap on the right of the 18th. To fill it the brigade commander at about 11 am ordered up two companies of the 20th battalion. They advanced under Capt W A Swarbrick

I can't find any Hebblewhite listed in the 1915 Muster Roll of the 20th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers, so he must have joined them after that date. Captain W. A. Swarbrick was my great uncle and I have written an account of his time with the 20th Bn and what they were invoved in from their formation until they were disbanded and split between the 17th and 18th Battalions in February 1918. If you would like me to send you a copy then just send me a Personal Message and I'll get back to you.

Regards,

Dave Swarbrick

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thank you all for the very helpful information, I am researching this chap who lived in my village with his family for a genealogy university course, as an assignment

trying to reply to you in person, error problem

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Hi Sandra,

The service record survives of Pte Harold Hebblewhite of Saxby-all-Saints and also the Lancashire Fusiliers. His father is recorded as George Hebblewhite, also of Saxby.

Is this man possibly a relative?

If so then fellow forum member Chris Bailey may be able to help. He has extensively researched the men of Bonby who served in the Great War. His research may extend to Saxby.

If you think there is a connection I can alert Chris for you.

Regards,

Steve.

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Sandra. If any use, Percivals second name was MILLSON, just in case you dont have it.(also served in the Royal Engineers number 204384 as a Sapper). Ralph.

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Dear Sandra,

I have just tried to send you a PM, but for some reason the system is telling me that the message is blocked. It may be that you have to have a minimum number of posts to send/receive Personal Messages, otherwise I'm stumped. [Not an uncommon experience!]

Perhaps you could try again - if it was me that you were trying to contact,

Dave Swarbrick

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Dear Sandra,

I have just tried to send you a PM, but for some reason the system is telling me that the message is blocked. It may be that you have to have a minimum number of posts to send/receive Personal Messages, otherwise I'm stumped. [Not an uncommon experience!]

Perhaps you could try again - if it was me that you were trying to contact,

Dave Swarbrick

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dear Dave thank you for your reply, had sent an email to find out how to solve the 'error' that keeps coming up

, if it is a minimum of sent and received posts have 10 now so see will have another bash

really impressed with all this help

sandra

Sandra. If any use, Percivals second name was MILLSON, just in case you dont have it.(also served in the Royal Engineers number 204384 as a Sapper). Ralph.
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Sandra. If any use, Percivals second name was MILLSON, just in case you dont have it.(also served in the Royal Engineers number 204384 as a Sapper). Ralph.

dear ralph, have his second name although on the headstone in the churchyard and cwgc certificate says MILSOM ? freeBMD says MILLSON

my great uncle was in the royal engineers, I was led to believe he was an rsm and pow captured by the italians, another relative says he was on the burma railway, but that is another story for later

thanks very much

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Hi Sandra,

The service record survives of Pte Harold Hebblewhite of Saxby-all-Saints and also the Lancashire Fusiliers. His father is recorded as George Hebblewhite, also of Saxby.

Is this man possibly a relative?

If so then fellow forum member Chris Bailey may be able to help. He has extensively researched the men of Bonby who served in the Great War. His research may extend to Saxby.

If you think there is a connection I can alert Chris for you.

Regards,

Steve.

dear steve, the george I have was born about 1801 in saxby according to 1841 census married to ann

son john married to sarah willerton, parents of percival willerton and alice parker, the parents of percival millson(milsom)

I might go back to the churchyard, but, it is very steep and a bit dodgy, to see if there are anymore hebblewhites

many thanks sandra

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