List of Battalion Commanding Officers

[James Brown]

James,

Here's a list of Commanding Officers of The Black Watch battalions, on the Somme, during the dates previously mentioned.............

Hi Tom how are you it's been a wee while since we last spoke.

Fantastic Tom. Thank you

11th Royal West Kent's (Lewisham): Lieut-.....................

Stuart

Stuart many thanks, his name will be adde to the growing list we have already.

Aye

James

[Muerrisch]

2nd RWF.

Succession of Commanding Officers

It is self-evident that the quality of the Commanding Officer is important in determining the quality of a battalion, even if the raw materials are not of the best. With two exceptions [Garnett and de Miremont, judged inadequate or incompetent by their contemporaries] those who commanded 2RWF for any length of time were clearly equal to the task. In the modern introduction to TWTIK Keith Simpson describes the majority of the commanders in some detail. Those descriptions, together with notes in Chapters 4 and 5 above, and together with the data base in Chapter 11, should suffice for all but the most curious, who will wish to do their own research. This list was compiled by Lieutenant Colonel Richard Sinnett, RWF [Retired].

Commanding Officers 2nd Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers

RANK AND NAME FROM TO REMARKS

Lt Col H Delmé-Radcliffe 21 Aug 11 26 Oct 14 Sick

Lt Col O de L Williams DSO 27 Oct 14 25 Sep 15 wounded

Capt CS Owen 25 Sep 15 30 Sep 15

Lt Col O de L Williams DSO 30 Sep 15 17 Dec 15 sick

Capt LM Ormrod 17 Dec 15 7 Jan 16

Capt EB Denison KRRC 8 Jan 16 30 Jan 16

Lt Col O de L Williams DSO 31 Jan 16 7 Jun 16 1

Capt WH Stanway 8 Jun 16 13 Jun 16

Lt Col CHR Crawshay DSO 14 Jun 16 25 Jan 17 Wounded 2

Capt J Cuthbert 25 Jan 17 8 Feb 17 Hospital

Capt JM Owen 8 Feb 17 16 Feb 17 Hospital

Lt JC Mann 16 Feb 17 19 Feb 17

Lt Col WB Garnett DSO 19 Feb 17 23 Aug 17

Maj RA Poore DSO R War Yeo 23 Aug 17 26 Sep 17 KIA

Capt NH Radford MC 26 Sep 17 1 Oct 17

Capt ER Kearsley DSO* 27 Sep 17 27 Sep 17 wounded 3

Lt Col WB Garnett DSO 1 Oct 17 12 Dec 17

Capt GER de Miremont 12 Dec 17 24 Jan 18 4

Lt Col WB Garnett DSO 24 Jan 18 11 Apr 18

Capt [A/Lt Col] GER de Miremont 11 Apr 18 4 Jul 18 5

Lt Col JB Cockburn 5 Jul 18 25 Aug 18 wounded

Capt EJ Greaves 25 Aug 18 27 Aug 18

Maj GER de Miremont 27 Aug 18 6 Sep 18

Lt Col CC Norman DSO 6 Sep 18 26 Oct 18 Act. Brig 6

Lt Col GER de Miremont DSO MC 26 Oct 18 26 Apr 19 7

• Officers whose names are in italics were acting COs

• Officers who commanded whilst the CO was on leave are not shown unless the battalion was in action during that time

• Decorations after names are those already earned or awarded whilst, or as a result of, commanding

Endnotes

1 Lt Col Williams took over command of 100 Infantry Brigade on 6 February 1916. It is not known for how long, or who commanded in his absence.

2 Capt GER de Miremont and Capt L D’Arcy Fox acted during this period

3 Capt ER Kearsley DSO* also commanded on 27 September, winning a bar to DSO

4 Dates not certain. Lt Col Garnett spent a month in UK on leave and Capt J Cuthbert also commanded briefly

5 Lt Col Garnett may have returned briefly during this period. Capt de Miremont was acting Lt Col from 21 May 1918 to 5 July 1918

6 Departure date not certain

7 Acting Lt Col from 10 Jan 1919

[archangel9]

13th Bn. Essex -

Lt. Col P.R. Papillon 2nd February 1915 - 28th August 1916.

Capt. S.E. Collier 28th August 1916 - 5th September 1916.

Lt. Col P.R. Papillon 5th September 1916 - 1st October 1916.

Major W.H. Carter 1st October 1916 -

W.H. Carter continued in command until after 26th November 1916, up to April 1917 I believe.

John

[charlesmessenger]

The 47th London Division History gives all commanding officers of battalions of London Regiment and their dates.

8th Royal Fusiliers

Lt Col A C Annesely DSO died of wounds 8/7/16

Lt Col Elliott-Cooper MC until 30/11/17 (awarded DSO at Artras and VC for Cambrai, where captured and subsequently died of his wounds)

9th Royal Irish Rifles

Lt Col F P Crozier

Charles M

[6th Shropshires]

Only covering the period 2nd July 1916 to 26th Nov. 1916

1st Battalion K.S.L.I. (Arrived in Somme area 3rd August) Lt.Colonal B. E., Murray, D.S.O. M.I.D. (5)

5th Battalion K.S.L.I. (Arrived in Somme area 7th August) Major G. A., Delme-Murray, D.S.O. M.I.D.

6th Battalion K.S.L.I. (Arrived in Somme area 28th July) Lt.Colonal E. A., Wood, C.M.G., D.S.O. (+ 3 Bars), Croix de Guerre, M.I.D. (4)

Gassed 4th Sept 1916 and sent to U.K.

Major Harold Echalaz, Welch, D.S.O., M.I.D. (2) from 4th Sept 1916 to 24th Oct. 1916

Lt.Colonal E. A., Wood, returned 24th Oct. 1916

7th Battalion K.S.L.I. (Arrived in Somme area 7th July) Lt.Colonal R. E. Negus. Wounded 14th July 1916

Major R.E.M., Heathcote, (2nd Royal Scots), from 15th July 1916 to 4th Oct 1916.

Lt.Colonal K.H.L., Arnott (East Lancs.) from 4th Oct. 1916

[James Brown]

A few thank you's first.

BMoorhouse - Thanks for the PM concerning Lt Colonel Troyt-Bullock 7th SLI.

Grumpy - I sent you a PM. A very big thank you for what you submitted in your post. I appreciate the work that went into this list and your time over the research. And as i said a 1st class example of source and explanation of details if they can be found.

archangel9 - John keep them coming. A valuable addition to the list of CO's.

Charlesmessenger - Nice to hear from you Charles. Thanks for the help. I dont have a copy of the 47th London Divisional History. So if there are any members out theer with access to the War Diary or Historical source let us know.

geraint - Sent you a PM, and I've changed the date.

Jane Davies (Curator) and Doug Farrington (head of museum research) at the Museum of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment

Fulwood Barracks, Lancashire

Thanks to all who have emailed, phoned or PM'd me. Your support is very much appreciated.

Aye

James

[geraint]

James - for a free download of the History of the 47th London Division go to Units and Formations, my thread called '47th London Division' (early Feb this year). Only three replies of which Mike Skipman linked in the download.

PS I'm a dinosaur. Can't do the clicky clicky thing!

[bobshaw]

Can anyone please tell me where the 10th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment was, around the 3rd July 1916.

I am trying to find some info on the following:

GRO War Deaths - Army Officers 1914-1921

SHAW, Henry L. T.Capt. R.War.R. 1916 - Vol.0.4 Page.111

Name: Henry Lynn Shaw

Death Date: 3 Jul 1916

Rank: Captain (T)

Regiment: Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Battalion: 10th Battalion

Type of Casualty: Killed in action

Name: LYNN SHAW, HENRY

Initials: H

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Captain

Regiment/Service: Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Unit Text: 10th Bn.

Age: 44

Date of Death: 03/07/1916

Additional information: Son of John Henry and Katharine Shaw; husband of Grace E. Lynn Shaw, of 2, Pakenham Rd., Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 7.

Cemetery: BAPAUME POST MILITARY CEMETERY, ALBERT

Any help would be most welcome.

Bob

[Alan Tucker]

This might help Bob....

Into action at La Boiselle – July 1-July 5 1916

On July 1 the battalion moved from the Corps reserve line at Millencourt to the Intermediate Line north of Albert. At 4.40 p.m. they were ordered up to the Tara-Usna line to replace men from 56 Brigade who were going forward. There was to be an attack to capture La Boiselle at 10.30 p.m. with a preliminary bombardment at 10.00 p.m. Twenty officers were to be involved with five given ‘carrying’ responsibilities. The War Diary explains the outcome….

“Owing to the lack of communication trenches and the fact that no-one knew much about our line at that spot the Brigade was unable to get into their positions at the appointed hour and so the attack was postponed” (727).

Everard Wyrall expands on the problems in the divisional history….

“The whole area which…was still held by the 34th Division was in a state of congestion…..All communication trenches were blocked with parties of stretcher-bearers, slightly wounded men, and the miscellaneous crowds of troops that result from a day’s confused fighting….Parties of men were going up to the front line, others coming back from it and no power on earth could have got the troops of the 58th and 57th Brigades into position to launch an attack at the time ordered” (728).

On July 2 the 10/Warwicks took over the front line from Keats Redan to Argyll Street, west and north-west of La Boiselle, with three companies in the line. Orders were received that a major attempt to capture La Boiselle would be made at 2.15 a.m on July 3 with the battalion in brigade reserve. Before that there was heavy shelling with one officer and five other ranks killed and two officers and thirty-four other ranks wounded and nine missing, six of whom were known to be buried alive. CWGC only acknowledges four deaths that day as the others were probably recorded as July 3. One of those killed was Second Lieutenant Cyril Williamson from Selly Park, Birmingham, aged 22. A year before he had only just completed his science degree at Birmingham University. He had earlier attended Solihull Grammar School and joined its OTC (729).

At zero hour in the early hours of July 3 two battalions of 57 Brigade attacked with the 8/North Staffs ‘clearing up the village’ of La Boiselle with the 10/Worcs attacking the German front line on their left. At 8 a.m. ‘C’ and ‘D’ companies of the 10/Warwicks led by Captain Shaw went forward to support the 8/Gloucs in ‘clearing up’ the village, particularly deep dugouts; they had followed behind the two attacking battalions. During the morning ‘A’ and ‘B’ companies also went forward in support leaving the old British front line in the hands of the 7/South Lancs of 56 Brigade. The Warwicks helped to consolidate the new line with some artillery support although all the 57 Brigade battalions did well to resist a strong German counter-attack at 11 a.m. At 3 p.m. Lieutenant-Colonel Heath was wounded and command was taken over temporarily by the CO of the 8/Gloucs, Lieutenant-Colonel Adrian Carton de Wiart, who was awarded the VC for his leadership during the resistance (730). At 8.30 p.m. Major Henderson took over command. CWGC commemorates forty-five deaths that day (see Appendix 57); the war diary does not detail the casualties although many more must have been wounded.

One of the officers killed that day was Captain G.R Heard, the medical officer, attached from the RAMC; he died of wounds. Two other dead officers had much in common. Captain Henry Lynn Shaw, aged 44, was one of six members of Birmingham City Council serving with the armed forces at the time of his death. He was a senior partner in a firm of nail manufacturers in Birchall Street, Birmingham. The family firm, established in 1799, still exists. He had attended King Edward’s School in the 1880s and later became an officer in the Volunteers and then in the Territorials. After rejoining at the start of the war he was about to become a major but was yet to be gazetted. He lived in Pakenham Road, Edgbaston where he left a wife and four young children (731). His two brothers and brother-in-law were all serving officers. Second Lieutenant Esmond Hallewell Rogers was the son of Alderman Sir Hallewell Rogers, who during the war served as a member of Birmingham City Council and also as chairman of BSA. He was also Honorary Colonel of 68 Brigade, RFA. Esmond, aged 25, had attended Shrewsbury School and Caius College, Cambridge. He had played some cricket for the Warwickshire 2nd XI (732).

CSM Thomas Neale was also killed that day. He was an old soldier, aged 41, with twenty-one years service which ended in August 1913. He had seen service in the Sudan and on the North West Frontier and rejoined at the start of the war. His older brother had died in the 1st Southern General Hospital on February 13 that year (733). Private John Bradshaw of ‘A’ company, aged 36, had been employed by Handsworth Town Council and had been a prominent member of the Handsworth Prize Band and the Aston Villa Band. He left a wife, Florence, and five children under 14, at Winson Green. His twin brother, Private Charles Bradshaw, had been killed early in the war (734). Private Arthur Cashmore,23, had been a farm waggoner at Church Lawford before the war and joined up at Rugby in August 1915 (735). Private Ernest Whittingham,31, had worked for the Woven Mattress Company of Acocks Green and lived in Sparkbrook (736).

By the evening of July 3 there were still pockets of German resistance in La Boiselle. At 9.15 a.m on July 4 the battalion was in support for a bombing attack by the 7/South Lancs against a trench on the northern side of La Boiselle and shell holes manned with machine guns and then spent the rest of the day consolidating the gains of the previous day on a line to ‘be held at all costs’ (737). The whole of La Boiselle was in the hands of 19 Division by 3 p.m. The 10/Warwicks had played a part in a considerable achievement. On the morning of July 5 the Warwicks were relieved and returned to the Usna-Tara line and,later that day, to billets in Albert.

On July 8 the battalion was inspected by Major General Bridges who congratulated them on their good work at La Boiselle. That night they returned to Millencourt where they remained until July 19.

[bobshaw]

This might help Bob....

Into action at La Boiselle – July 1-July 5 1916

On July 1 the battalion moved from the Corps reserve line at Millencourt to the Intermediate Line north of Albert. At 4.40 p.m. they were ordered up to the Tara-Usna line to replace men from 56 Brigade who were going forward. There was to be an attack to capture La Boiselle at 10.30 p.m. with a preliminary bombardment at 10.00 p.m. Twenty officers were to be involved with five given 'carrying' responsibilities. The War Diary explains the outcome….

"Owing to the lack of communication trenches and the fact that no-one knew much about our line at that spot the Brigade was unable to get into their positions at the appointed hour and so the attack was postponed" (727).

Everard Wyrall expands on the problems in the divisional history….

"The whole area which…was still held by the 34th Division was in a state of congestion…..All communication trenches were blocked with parties of stretcher-bearers, slightly wounded men, and the miscellaneous crowds of troops that result from a day's confused fighting….Parties of men were going up to the front line, others coming back from it and no power on earth could have got the troops of the 58th and 57th Brigades into position to launch an attack at the time ordered" (728).

On July 2 the 10/Warwicks took over the front line from Keats Redan to Argyll Street, west and north-west of La Boiselle, with three companies in the line. Orders were received that a major attempt to capture La Boiselle would be made at 2.15 a.m on July 3 with the battalion in brigade reserve. Before that there was heavy shelling with one officer and five other ranks killed and two officers and thirty-four other ranks wounded and nine missing, six of whom were known to be buried alive. CWGC only acknowledges four deaths that day as the others were probably recorded as July 3. One of those killed was Second Lieutenant Cyril Williamson from Selly Park, Birmingham, aged 22. A year before he had only just completed his science degree at Birmingham University. He had earlier attended Solihull Grammar School and joined its OTC (729).

At zero hour in the early hours of July 3 two battalions of 57 Brigade attacked with the 8/North Staffs 'clearing up the village' of La Boiselle with the 10/Worcs attacking the German front line on their left. At 8 a.m. 'C' and 'D' companies of the 10/Warwicks led by Captain Shaw went forward to support the 8/Gloucs in 'clearing up' the village, particularly deep dugouts; they had followed behind the two attacking battalions. During the morning 'A' and 'B' companies also went forward in support leaving the old British front line in the hands of the 7/South Lancs of 56 Brigade. The Warwicks helped to consolidate the new line with some artillery support although all the 57 Brigade battalions did well to resist a strong German counter-attack at 11 a.m. At 3 p.m. Lieutenant-Colonel Heath was wounded and command was taken over temporarily by the CO of the 8/Gloucs, Lieutenant-Colonel Adrian Carton de Wiart, who was awarded the VC for his leadership during the resistance (730). At 8.30 p.m. Major Henderson took over command. CWGC commemorates forty-five deaths that day (see Appendix 57); the war diary does not detail the casualties although many more must have been wounded.

One of the officers killed that day was Captain G.R Heard, the medical officer, attached from the RAMC; he died of wounds. Two other dead officers had much in common. Captain Henry Lynn Shaw, aged 44, was one of six members of Birmingham City Council serving with the armed forces at the time of his death. He was a senior partner in a firm of nail manufacturers in Birchall Street, Birmingham. The family firm, established in 1799, still exists. He had attended King Edward's School in the 1880s and later became an officer in the Volunteers and then in the Territorials. After rejoining at the start of the war he was about to become a major but was yet to be gazetted. He lived in Pakenham Road, Edgbaston where he left a wife and four young children (731). His two brothers and brother-in-law were all serving officers. Second Lieutenant Esmond Hallewell Rogers was the son of Alderman Sir Hallewell Rogers, who during the war served as a member of Birmingham City Council and also as chairman of BSA. He was also Honorary Colonel of 68 Brigade, RFA. Esmond, aged 25, had attended Shrewsbury School and Caius College, Cambridge. He had played some cricket for the Warwickshire 2nd XI (732).

CSM Thomas Neale was also killed that day. He was an old soldier, aged 41, with twenty-one years service which ended in August 1913. He had seen service in the Sudan and on the North West Frontier and rejoined at the start of the war. His older brother had died in the 1st Southern General Hospital on February 13 that year (733). Private John Bradshaw of 'A' company, aged 36, had been employed by Handsworth Town Council and had been a prominent member of the Handsworth Prize Band and the Aston Villa Band. He left a wife, Florence, and five children under 14, at Winson Green. His twin brother, Private Charles Bradshaw, had been killed early in the war (734). Private Arthur Cashmore,23, had been a farm waggoner at Church Lawford before the war and joined up at Rugby in August 1915 (735). Private Ernest Whittingham,31, had worked for the Woven Mattress Company of Acocks Green and lived in Sparkbrook (736).

By the evening of July 3 there were still pockets of German resistance in La Boiselle. At 9.15 a.m on July 4 the battalion was in support for a bombing attack by the 7/South Lancs against a trench on the northern side of La Boiselle and shell holes manned with machine guns and then spent the rest of the day consolidating the gains of the previous day on a line to 'be held at all costs' (737). The whole of La Boiselle was in the hands of 19 Division by 3 p.m. The 10/Warwicks had played a part in a considerable achievement. On the morning of July 5 the Warwicks were relieved and returned to the Usna-Tara line and,later that day, to billets in Albert.

On July 8 the battalion was inspected by Major General Bridges who congratulated them on their good work at La Boiselle. That night they returned to Millencourt where they remained until July 19.

Hi Alan,

Sorry for the delay in replying, had illness in the family.

Please accept my most sincere thanks for your reply, not only from the R.Warwick's side but also a bit of his life, I was aware he was the owner of Henry Shaw & Sons, and that when he was kia, his widow sold the interest of the company to an Arthur Ernest Lambert one his employees, the Lambert's still own the company.

Kind regards.

Bob

[geraint]

Hi James.

Just wondering what came of this. Are you still seeking information?

[Guest ruthyblakester]

Hi,

I am trying to research my great great grand father -

Richard Patrick Carey (1882-1929)

.

Richard served as a Private in the First World War, he was in the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. I think they were attached to the 1st Battalion (known as The Young Buffs).

At the end of the First World War he was awarded the Victory Medal. (I know that in order to qualify for the Victory medal one had to be mobilised in any service and have entered a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918). His Regimental No. was 32925.

Does anyone know how I would go about finding out more about his duties, where they were stationed and conditions etc. I believe he looked after the horses as he later worked as a horse keeper when he returned home.

Any further information would be brilliant.

Thanks,

Ruth

[Martin Bennitt]

Hi,

I am trying to research my great great grand father -

Richard Patrick Carey (1882-1929)

.

Richard served as a Private in the First World War, he was in the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. I think they were attached to the 1st Battalion (known as The Young Buffs).

At the end of the First World War he was awarded the Victory Medal. (I know that in order to qualify for the Victory medal one had to be mobilised in any service and have entered a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918). His Regimental No. was 32925.

Does anyone know how I would go about finding out more about his duties, where they were stationed and conditions etc. I believe he looked after the horses as he later worked as a horse keeper when he returned home.

Any further information would be brilliant.

Thanks,

Ruth

Hi,

I am trying to research my great great grand father -

Richard Patrick Carey (1882-1929)

.

Richard served as a Private in the First World War, he was in the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. I think they were attached to the 1st Battalion (known as The Young Buffs).

At the end of the First World War he was awarded the Victory Medal. (I know that in order to qualify for the Victory medal one had to be mobilised in any service and have entered a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918). His Regimental No. was 32925.

Does anyone know how I would go about finding out more about his duties, where they were stationed and conditions etc. I believe he looked after the horses as he later worked as a horse keeper when he returned home.

Any further information would be brilliant.

Thanks,

Ruth

Hi Ruth

Welcome to the Forum. Suggest your post is in the wrong thread. Go into the Soldiers section and post your question as a new topic there. Someone will be along to help you out.

cheers

Martin B

[WilliamRev]

As Geraint asked, I'd be interested to know if the list of commanding officers is still being added to. I may be able to add a few...

William

[James Brown]

Hi.

I have just returned home after work commitments....and general life stuff. So i hope to be on here as much as I can. If I can help anyone with anything I'm happy to do that. This post was an idea I had to create a free searchable data base for anyone doing research on the battle of the Somme. I started it with good intentions after seeing a previous post on Divisional Commanders on the Somme. Another great piece of Forum work by Bmac that inspired me.

So its now work in progress once again.

i have lots of new material to add to the list and Ill get it uploaded ASAP. Just need to get the wife settled into her new quarters

Thanks

JB

[James Brown]

Ive started to update this post. Do as much as i can this week in between getting the new house in order.

Kendo and Arthur I'll email you next 2 days promise

Thanks

JB

[TonyE]

It has been done. One of my Ph.D colleagues at University of Birmingham is writing his thesis on batallion commanders and has a database of over 4,100 commanding officers with their histories.

I am not sure when he will be submitting though.

Regards

TonyE

[ATNOMIS]

On 07/02/2011 at 12:22, geraint said:

1/4 RWF Denbighshire

Lieut. Col W.C.W. Hawkes of 106th Hazara Pioneers, Indian army. (appointed 15th Feb 1916, returned to Indian Army 3 Feb 1917).

9 RWF

Lt Col R. A. Berners (appointed 24 Dec 1915)

13thRWF

Lt Col O S Flower ,DOW (casualty on 10 July 16)

Lt Col Cambell DSO

14thRWF

Lt Col David Davies, MP, recalled London 7 July 1916

Major G H Gwyther KIA 10 July 1916

Lt Col H V R Hodson

15th RWF

Lt Col R.C. Bell, DSO

16th RWF

Lt Col R.J. Carden kia 10 July

Sec Com Major McLellan

Lt Col ANG Jones DSO 13 July

17thRWF

Lt Col J A Ballard kia 10 July 1916

Lt Col J B Cockburn DSO

Lt Col Beasley DSO (appointed "early Nov" 1916)

Could the be Major Graham Howard Gwyther

[18thCEF]

18th Battalion, C.E.F. was commanded by Lt. Col. Henry Litton Milligan at the Somme in September 1916.

[ATNOMIS]

8th East Lancashire Reg In the early hours of 15 July 1916, Lieutenant-Colonel Mackay OC 8th East Lancashire received the specific orders that 112 Brigade would attack at 9.20am after an hour’s bombardment of the village of Pozieres, the key to the German 2nd line of defence.  The battalion lead the brigade in the assault on the village - the men's first experience of going 'over the top'.  They were to lose over 350 casualties including almost 100 killed outright.

8th East Lancs Dedicated to the men of the 8th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment in the Great War.

[gordon92]

Should the general topic of battalion commanding officers still be pertinent to anyone, this site, Infantry Battalion Commanding Officers of the British Armies in the First World War, may be of interest

Edited 26 August , 2016 by gordon92