Victoria Rifles

[Guest CQMS]

24th Battalion Victoria Rifles were a Montreal Battalion made of mainly english speaking men. My grandfather was with them, CQMS William Henderson (192239) M.M.

Trying to find information on how he won his Military Medal, they were in the terrible battle of Arras at the end of August 1918, near the Droquert Switch line. Of the 1000 men in the Battalion only roughly 300 were left alive..........I believe he won his M.M. during this battle, but can't fine info that may explain this.

[Steven Broomfield]

I have th battalion history at home; I'm afraid I'm working late and stopping over in London tonight, but if no-one gets there before tomorrow evening, I'll have a rummage.

[Steven Broomfield]

Dawned on me then that you probably already have the ruddy book!

Anyway, in case you don't, I had a look and no joy. Your grandfather is, obviously, mentioned in the Appendix on Honours and Awards, but there is no index. Looking through the text, although every officer seems to receive plenty of mentions, the o.r.s are more or less anonymous. It does say that two men received Bars to the MM, and 20 received the MM, in September, presumably for the action you mention.

Sorry - I did try!

[KevinBattle]

If you want to, try Geoffs Search Engine Geoffs Search Engine and put in dates, Names or Units of your choice.

I changed Nationality to "Canada", used dates from 1st July 1918 till 30/09/1918 and 24th as Unit. It came up with 170 Names in the CWGC Debt of Honour, so whilst the Battn obviously had severe fighting, most of the casualties were wounded.

It's still sad to see so many, often with similar Service Numbers, so they went through training together, maybe even from same towns...

I hope that helps

[Steven Broomfield]

On the subject of casualties in the action round Arras in late August, on 27th August the battalion history gives one officer (Captain G A McGiffin) killed and 9 wounded, and 19 men killed (including the RSM), with 33 missing and 190 wounded. On the following day 3 more officers were killed (Capt P I Walker, MC, Lt J C Shipway and Lt P J Tucker, MC - both of the latter being original members of the battalion), plus 6 more wounded, with 9 o.r. killed, 18 missing and another 125 wounded. The fighting strength of the battalion was 3 officers and about 150 o.r.

In August as a whole, no fewer than 8 officers and 67 o.r. were killed, 55 o.r. missing and the astounding total of 20 officers and 516 men wounded. The CO, Lt Col W H Clark-Kennedy, DSO, was awarded the VC for his work on those two days in August.

[Guest CQMS]

Thanks for your info and replies, I doubt his record of why he received the MM even exists. But I do know his company went into the batle with 268 men and only 16 walked out, he led the men to the victory after all others were killed or wounded.

[Steven Broomfield]

I have to confess I've had the book for some years, but this was the first time I'd really sat down and read it: what the battalion achieved was quite something. You're right to be proud.

[Ian Murphy]

Thanks for your info and replies, I doubt his record of why he received the MM even exists. But I do know his company went into the batle with 268 men and only 16 walked out, he led the men to the victory after all others were killed or wounded.

24thB,

May I suggest editing the title of your post to include the name of your grandfather as CQMS William Henderson (192239) M.M. - this may act to widen your net and (with luck) another forum pal may respond when seeing his name and not Victoria Rifles.

Hope this helps,

Ian.