Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Commanding Officers at Messines 1917


glennr

Recommended Posts

5th bn SWB Lt Col C V TROWER

Did you not forget 3 Worcesters and10th Cheshire in your listing for 7th Bde ?

regards

Lawry

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Glenn

The CO 23 LOndons should be Hargeaves, not Hatgreaves.

You had problems with the composition of 49th Bde - I corrected that, but I haven't scanned the othe Bdes for errors.

Peter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Peter - sorry for the delay in my reply. I have been away on leave. Great to return to the wealth of information you have provided on this post. Thanks so much for your contribution.

kind regards

Glenn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FWIW A minuor update

10 Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) (23 Div 69 Bde) were actually commanded by Maj Bathurst (Lt Col Raymer was ill).

Coy commanders were:

A: Lt Perks DSO

B: Capt Reincke

C: Capt Harrison

D: Capt Bull

Bull & Harrison were both wounded. Reincke later transferred to the RFC ans was killed quickly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the information on the 10th Bn Duke of Wellingtons. Was Bull & Harrison both wounded at Messines and do you know the circumstances?

Would also be keen on knowing Major Bathurst's first initials and those of each of the company commanders.

thanks

Glenn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As Peter says, Maj C Bathurst was in command (he was previously adjutant).

Company commanders:

A: Lt RC Perks DSO (Gazetted Acting Captain when commanding a company on 22 June 1917)

B: Capt Leopold Frederick Reincke

(later transferred to RFC and was mortallt wounded as flying as an oberver in an action accompanying Keith Park see http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/vie...20-%200897.html and http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=W-XJIX5...ke&f=false)

C: Capt Harrison

Perhaps Capt Alfred Percy Harrison MC??

D: Capt James Christopher Bull

(Later Major and Acting Lt-Col See here and http://www.thepeerage.com/p34469.htm)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Forgot to add that a passage from a 'memoir' quoted in the History of the Service Battalions of the Duke of Wellingtons, decirbes Captains Bull and Harrison being wounded in the attack, but there is no mention of them (or any other casualties by name) in the notes of the attack in the war diary.

Message me if you;d like a copy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of those earlier links re J C Bull was faulty -- here's the correct one: http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...p;#entry1259734

Also, Bull was mentioned in dispatches for his role in the attacks in the Contalmaison/Quadrange area on 10 July 1916, as was Lieut Robert Clement Perks. Perks was mentioned again, and recommended for the MC, for a later attack on 28/29 July. He was 21 years old.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Glennr

Please see my reply to your query on 8th, 9th,10th,15th RIR (107th Bde) War Diaries.

Am working on the other Coy commanders - but for the moment:

9th RIR - Lt Col P Woods DSO

A Coy - 2Lt J W Milligan

B Coy - Capt Harding MC

C Coy - Lt R P MacGregor MC

D Coy - Capt R C R Kane MC

10th RIR - Lt Col N G Burnand

A Coy - Lt J A Coey

B Coy - a/Capt J H Stewart

C Coy - Lt L A H Hacket

D Coy - Lt R M Laurin

regards,

Al.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After a good search through I'm afraid that the diary extracts I have shed no light on the company commanders for 8th and 15th Bns RIR for 7th June 1917.

There are a couple of Capts and Lts mentioned by name and with reference to their Companies elsewhere in the diary if you would like some suspects to check out ?

regards,

Al.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That would be great, thanks for this Palicus.

Regards

Glenn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That would be great, thanks for this Palicus.

Regards

Glenn

Hi Glenn R. Interesting thread-------"Davec" put me on to it "thanks Dave". I have loads of info on Capt J.C.Bull. MC. d. coy. 10th btn West Ridings. p.m. me with your e-mail info and I will get it to you. Capt. Bull was wounded and later won his MC-not sure if it was for his action leading D coy at the attack though!!. I have all his papers. etc. but problems, as my scanner is up-the-swanny!!--let me know what you want anyway.best of luck. Dave.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...

Major General Hugh Keppel Bethell's medals were recently sold by Warwick and Warwick. They claimed 74th Brigade were heavily involved in 1917 in the Battles of Messines and Pilkem Ridge near Ypres and the DSO is likely to be awarded for one of these actions.

Gazette Issue 30308 published on the 25 September 1917 Page 9968

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30308/supplements/9968

Citation: Gazette Issue 30466 published on the 8 January 1918 Page 560

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30466/supplements/560

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst commanding an attack upon a hostile position. It was a very hard fight, and it was due to his fine leadership that the attack was a complete success. By his energy and personal example he very greatly inspired all ranks of his brigade.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...