6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)

[pmaasz]

Does anyone have the diary for 21st March 1918? I'm researching the activities of 2nd Cav. Bde. for that day and subsequent days. Thanks for any help.

[Chris_Baker]

I have it. Drop me a PM with your email address and I shall be glad to forward a copy.

[pmaasz]

I want to thank Chris publicly (how do you spell that?) for providing me with what I was seeking.

[warthur]

Does anyone have access to the war diary for the 6th Dragoon Guards for October 31st / November 1st 1914 when the 6th DG were holding the line at Messines along with the London Scottish ?

I am researching medals to the following soldier and any information would be appreciated

3495 Pte. Ernest Edward Kelcey

6^th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)

Ernest Edward Kelcey was born March 1878 at Old Windsor Berkshire England. His parents were Frederick Kelcey (b 1846 Dunchurch Warwickshire England) and Elizabeth Kelcey (b 1837 Hilton Dorsetshire England .

In 1896 while living in the parish of Fulham Middlesex near London August 6^th 1896 he enlisted in the Militia. His attestation document records his trade as servant and lists his Master as a Mr. Robinson of Dudley House Park Lane and his age as 18 years 7 months. The document also records that he had been rejected as unfit for her Majesty’s service on the grounds of (?)Chest.

On the 24^th September 1896 at Hounslow Windsor Berkshire Ernest Edward Kelcey attested for service in the 6^th Dragoon Guards. His service record is as follows

Home 24.9.96 to 2/11/99

South Africa 3.11.99 to 15.8.02

India 16.8.02 to 13.1.04

Home 14.1.04 to 15.1.04

Active reserve 16.1.04 to 4.8.14

Home 5.8.14 to 15.8.14

BEF France 16.8.14 to 30.1.19

Home 31.1.19 to 27.2.19

Class 2 28.2.19

For his service in South Africa Pte Kelcey was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 5 clasps (Relief of Kimberly ; Paardeberg; Driefontein Johannesburg ; Belfast. ) and the King’s South Africa medal with 2 clasps ( South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902)

Pte. Kelcey who was in the Active Reserve was called back to the colours on the declaration of War on August 4^th 1914. The 6^th Dragoon Guards were part of the 4^th Cavalry Brigade 2^nd Cavalry Division of the BEF which landed in France on August 16^th 1914. The 6^th Dragoon Guards were in action at Mons , Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons , The Marne 1914 , The Ainse 1914 , La Bassee 1914 , Armentieres , Ypres 1914 and 1915 .

As an “Old Contemptible “Ernest Edward Kelcey was awarded the 1914 Star (with date bar 5^th Aug. – 22^nd Nov.1914), British War Medal and Victory Medal

[Neil Mackenzie]

Canuk

I have photographed those pages of the War Diary in the past but they are a bit faint. I will email them to you but you may have to ask for a better version. A synopsis of the action is below.

First Battle of Ypres

This was one of the key battles of the War as the Germans, who outnumbered the British about 4 or 5:1 tried to drive them out of Belgium. The Battle started with the Regiment in trenches on the Messines-Whytschaete line. The Germans were determined to drive the BEF away from Ypres and were so confident of success that the Kaiser himself had come up to see the action. While the first day of the battle on 31^st October is famous for the counter attack by the Worcesters at Gheluvelt the main action involving the 6^th Dragoon Guards was the following day – although the Commonwealth War Graves Commission dates most of their casualties as 31^st October.

According to the War Diary the Germans launched their attack at 1am on 1^st November and were in such numbers that they soon occupied the front line trenches. Subject to enfilade fire from the flanks they fell back to trenches behind the Messines-Whytschaete ridge. Counter attacks with the bayonet by London Scottish (in the first action by a Territorial Army unit in the war) could not hold the Germans back so, at dawn, the Regiment retreated to Point 75. The Germans continued to attack but could get no further as French troops arrived in the area. This was to be one of the worst days of the War for the Regiment with some 25 men killed or dying of wounds including Major WE Watson DSO (commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres).

[warthur]

Thank you Neil for the information . I have received the photos of the war diary , as you say they are rather faint but certainly readable . October 31st / November 1st was certainly one of the most critical days of 1st Ypres . As you will note Pte Kelcey survived the war . .

Best wishes

Arthur