Notts and Derbys TF

[Steve Bramley]

Hi,

I have what appears to be a large draft of men transferred from the Sherwoods to the 2/5th Lincolns, several of whom lost their lives on 15/4/18. Their N&D service numbers were of six digits prefixed 107.

Does anyone have any idea which Battalion these men could have been from?

Regards,

Steve.

[Greenwoodman]

2/7th and 2/8th Sherwoods were in the same division (59th) as 2/5th Lincs, and 2/7th was absorbed mainly by 1/7th, while 2/8th was disbanded in France in Feb 1918. 2/5th Sherwoods certainly had a number of these 107*** men killed (same div again). So the disbanded battalions are potentially perhaps one source.

SDGW shows first 107*** man to die was on 13/04/18, and he belonged to 2/5th. Their history reports drafts of 400 men arriving in the early days of the month, so these could well be the 107*** men (based solely on date of first death, plus the fact that if the Bn had 107*** men prior to April, they had avoided death although the Bn needed 400 replacements) and some could have been diverted direct to the Lincs battalion. 2/5th Lincs war diary also records 1st to the 4th April 1918, "Drafts were constantly received during this period" So perhaps the "reinforcement shuffle" is a potential second source.

SDGW shows other 107*** men who died were with 1st (8), 2nd (2), 1/5 (1), 2/5 (5), 1/6 (1), 2/6 (1), 1/8 (1), 9th (1) and 10th (14) battalions. Perm any one from 9!

Perhaps a MIC check on one of these men would give you a date of entry, as these men do seem to be replacements arriving due to March 1918 losses?

[Steve Bramley]

Thanks Greenwoodman,

I'm sure you are correct here.

The Sherwood men it would appear were given their 107*** numbers alphabetically and the same applies to their 2/5th Lincolnshire numbers. The vast majority of those who died on the 15/4/18 were only 18 or 19 years old and i suspect that this was their first action.

There were also small 'drafts' from several other regiments, but there does appear to be an en bloc draft from the Sherwoods 107*** men renumbered between about 51650 and 51900. There were also smaller groups from the Staffs and Leices, who were in the same division.

I haven't researched these men in any detail as yet but was filling in some gaps in my database. You have confirmed some of my suspicions i think, theirs i suspect will be an interesting story.

Regards,

Steve.

[jim_davies]

Steve,

One of these lads appears in my Stamford research, have a little bit on him which might help.

Pte Ernest Hudson. 51790, 2nd Lincs, formerly 107276 Notts & Jocks (per MIC)

Born May 1899.

Enlisted/Conscripted-20 Jun 1917.

To France-March 1918?

Transferred Lincs-2 Apr 1918

My source (R&TGW) shows him as 51st Batt, Sherwood Foresters.

Jim