DirtyDick Posted 11 April , 2004 Share Posted 11 April , 2004 Concerns a the above named and covers his experiences from enlisting in the Queen's Westminster Rifles (London Regiment) in 1914 at the age of 17. Present at the Christmas Truce of 1914; wounded and then commissioned and saw out the war on the western Front in a number of units. Also covers immediate post-war period and his eventual return to duty in 1939 and his service with the BEF in 1940; hence the title. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali Hollington Posted 20 April , 2004 Share Posted 20 April , 2004 His double experience of war in france wasn't that unusual as many of the higher ranking officers had started in the great war. So what did you think of it? Ali Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDick Posted 21 April , 2004 Author Share Posted 21 April , 2004 Hello Ali, The book had a considerable number of interesting snippets, generally of a trivial nature that is of so much interest to us history types! Indeed, the details alluding to battalion life, and more particularly life in the officers' mess, and his discharge were most revealing. I felt that the writing style was somewhat laboured - unusual punctuation and huge paragraphs - but obviously in keeping with language during the period. I also feel that the original publishers could have tidied up the format a little. However, on the whole an interesting if, among a sea of similar works, unremarkable work. (That is not to take away from its usefulness as a social document, merely an opinion after having read many similar memoirs.) Cheers Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 21 April , 2004 Share Posted 21 April , 2004 Richard, Long shot I know, but does the book contain any mention of this chap Rifleman R HAINTON 556956, 16th Bn., London Regt (Queen's Westminster Rifles) who died on 08 December 1917 MONT HUON MILITARY CEMETERY, LE TREPORT Thanks Kate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDick Posted 22 April , 2004 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2004 Hello Kate I'll dig out the book and have a look for the chap (book doesn't have an index of names and places, hence my previous posting!). Anyone else or a specific action you wish me to look up? Cheers Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDick Posted 22 April , 2004 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2004 Hello Kate Sorry, no joy. . Walkington had been commissioned into a Lancashire regiment by 1917. Had a skim read through but could not see above name. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 27 April , 2004 Share Posted 27 April , 2004 Richard, Many thanks for looking for Hainton. Would you recommend the book? How much is devoted to WW1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDick Posted 27 April , 2004 Author Share Posted 27 April , 2004 Hello Kate 1)Around two-thirds is WW1; the remainder either post-war or a description of his service both training the first WW2 conscripts and service in France in 1940. 2) I suppose it depends on what interests you. Overall it is a good acount of life on the WF from 1914-17; but I always find the 'domestic' side - training, hospitalisation, leave and demobbing procedure more interesting. I picked up my (new) copy on ebay for a couple of quid about a year ago. Cheers Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sis Posted 16 May , 2004 Share Posted 16 May , 2004 Hellos. Long shot but does your book (I didn't get the title?) mention either of these two lads? Rifleman GEORGE RICHARDS 3769, "B" Coy. 1st/16th Bn., London Regt (Queen's Westminster Rifles) who died age 20 on 30 October 1915 Rifleman RICHARDS, Son of Charles William and Elizabeth Richards, of 46, Dinsmore Road, Balham, London. Remembered with honour LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY and the Second is; Lance Corporal THOMAS S. RICHARDS (originall number - 3774) 551214, 1st/16th Bn., London Regt (Queen's Westminster Rifles) who died on 14 April 1917 Remembered with honour ARRAS MEMORIAL Yours hopefully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDick Posted 16 May , 2004 Author Share Posted 16 May , 2004 Hello No mention, unfortunately. Had a quick scan through it again, but he left that regiment in early 1915, received a commission and no more mention is made of it. Cheers Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now