Richard Hudson Posted 22 December , 2011 Posted 22 December , 2011 Hi Looking for information regarding theatres of action where the above battlions served., from 1915 to 1918. My grandfather served with the 8th or 9th battlion, he never told me much about it, would like to dig a bit deeper into his wherabouts. George Hudson 14791, joined as private finished as Sgt., survived the war died 1978 in Redcar. Any information always helpful. Regards Richard Hudson
keithmroberts Posted 22 December , 2011 Posted 22 December , 2011 The regimental history of the Great War is available from Naval and Military Press at a fairly modest price. Buy it from Amazon using the link at the top of the page and the forum benefits by a few pence, while Amazon normally undercut N&M except when N&M run one of their 20% off promotions. (£25 plus postage from N&M). Correction, Amazon have it at £23.75 "The Green Howards in the Great War". It covers all the battalions of the regiment that served, and has a significant chapter on each of the 8th and 9th battalions. If you don't fancy buying it or fancy a browse through it first, you can get an inter library loan through your local library, for a small fee, probably about 60p or thereabouts. The Long Long Trail (link at top of page), gives you an outline of the parts played by each battalion and their divisions, but it has to be limited in scope. Worth a look if you haven't already. Keith
connaughtranger Posted 23 December , 2011 Posted 23 December , 2011 8th and 9th Battalions were in same Bde so were always close. I've just recorded the 8th's doings. The 8th was reduced to cadre in Feb 1918 while the 9th went on to take part in the Battle of 100 Days. This period of the 9th's history I'll record later 8th battalion trained around Frensham, Aldershot, Folkestone and Bramshott Camp during 1915, arriving at Boulogne on August 26th 1915 at 11.20pm First experiences of the trenches took place near Erquinghem on 13th September Into the Bois Grenier sector where it remained until end of February 1916 before moving to Bruay area 7th March: relieved French troops about Gouay Servins. During March moved to Bruay, Hersin and on to Angres. Remained until end of June in Angres sector. 24th June: to the Somme. 1st July: in Bazieux Wood; 2nd July in Albert; 3rd July in bivouacs on Tara Hill attached to 34th Division. 5th July: helped take Horseshoe Trench. By evening were in part of Horseshoe, being relieved next morning by 68th Bde Involved in successful attack on Contalmaison on 10th 5th August: beat off attacks in Munster Alley then group of Battalion bombers took parts of Munster and Torr Trench and held them against repeated attacks 25th August: to trenches near Papot in Bailleul sector. early September: training about St Omer 10th Sept: back to the Somme. On 18th around Bazentin-le-Petit Wood providing carrying parties 2nd October: in Destremont,Zigzag and other trenches to the right of the Le Sars Road 4th Oct: C Company and bombers successfully attacked and held sap in OG2 to right of Bapaume Road 7th Oct: Le Sars captured and C Co supported 9th Yorks 8th Oct: provided working parties 9th Oct: in Albert 12th Oct to end of the year : in and around billets in Poperinghe and front line. Very little activity mentioned. Patrol work carried out until February 1917 20th Feb: raid on enemy. No prisoners and no casualties Training around Houlle for 6 weeks 14th April: acting as carrying parties for RE in Ypres sector. Billets in Toronto Camp and farms around Steenvoorde 3rd June: Ouderdom 7th June: In assembly trenches Panama Canal and Jackson Avenue for Battle of Messines. Red Line captured 10th - 12th June battalion relieved and moved to Montreal Camp. Then to Berthen End of June: Alberta camp, Reninghelst 30th June: Back to place of their success on 7th June 13th July: Steenvoorde 13th July back in roughly same trenches 26th July: After train and march arrived in comfortable billets in Acquin 9th Aug: Houlle 24th Aug: Abeele 19th Sept: Camp at Dickebusch 20th Sept: Attack on Inverness Copse Night of 20th/21st: consolidation of gains Oct: In the line about Reninghelst, out of the line at various camps including Micmac 7th Nov: Acquin then entrained at Wizernes for Italy 19th Nov: Arrived in the Montello sector on the Piave where they remained until the end of the year. 1918 Were still in the sector until relieved in mid-February and into billets in Brioni and Loria 25th Feb: Montello sector 4 weeks later to the Asiago Plateau April & May: quiet, patrolling 8th June: raid by D Co. Mainly successful with 1 Officer killed and 3 OR's wounded 15th June: Attack by Austrains on 23rd and 48th Divisional front. 23rd Division repulsed attack completely. Enemy penetrated 48th Div front for 3000 yds, but was ejected on 16th 15th June: Battalion in the line at Grenazza 17th June: into Bde reserve July, August and part of September: quiet. 23rd Division reduced to 10 Battalions to release other 3 for return to Western Front
charliebrady Posted 23 December , 2011 Posted 23 December , 2011 Richard - I don't know whether or not you are within travelling distance of Richmond to be able to spend some time at the Green Howards Regimental Museum. I was asked to try and trace the last days of the uncle (commemorated at Thiepval), of a friend of mine, who was killed while serving with the 9th Battalion. As a first step, I asked the museum if it was possible to see the war diaries; when I eventually visited by prior arrangement, I was made most welcome and allowed to use the bound volumes of the Regimental history, without charge but a donation was welcome - I'm sure you will be treated likewise. My friend's uncle, Private Sion George Hollinshead, 9th Battalion, was killed on the 5th of July 1916 in the attack on Horseshoe Trench, the same action in which Donald Bell won his VC - this is accessible on the ground from the road between Contalmaison and Fricourt, just about 1 kilometre south-west of Contalmaison, along a field track off to the right which more or less follows the line of Horseshoe trench towards Gordon Dump cemetery, where Donald Bell is buried. I made some notes while at the museum, and briefly the story of the 9th Battalion up to July 1916 was - formed at Richmond on the 26th September 1914, and in October of that year was attached to the 69th Brigade of the 23rd Division. On the 26th of August 1915 they landed at Boulogne, taking part in the Battle of Albert from 1st to 13th July 1916 as part of III Corps, 4th Army, fighting to capture Trones Wood, Mametz Wood and Contalmaison. Hopefully this will help with a few bones on which to build your research. John
mhifle Posted 23 December , 2011 Posted 23 December , 2011 Hi, I have a distant relative 33674 Private William Benner Raymond who was killed on 1 Oct 1917 serving with the 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. This is some information I have collected for his time with the 9th Battalion. Regards Mark He was posted from the 9th Training Reserve Battalion based at Rugeley Camp, Cannock Chase, Yorkshire to the British Expeditionary Force Depot in France 16 June 1917 Embarked on a transport ship at Folkestone 16 June 1917 Disembarked at Boulogne 17 June 1917 He was transferred to the front to join the Yorkshire Regiment, The Green Howards, 59th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Division, at its billets in ‘Steenvoorde’ and was posted to ‘C’ Company, 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment 5 July 1917. (Battalion had arrived in Boulogne on 27 Aug 1915.) Lieutenant Colonel H A S Prior was commanding the Battalion. New regimental No.33674 Private William Benner Raymond, was posted to ‘C’ Company This is a list of the men I believe made up the draft form the 9th Training Reserve Battalion to the British Expeditionary Force 33rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples 17 June 1917 going by the their Yorkshire Regiment regimental numbers. John Burns Yorkshire Regiment 33649 Labour Corps no.421311 (Nov 1917) Arthur S Butler Yorkshire Regiment 33650 Royal Army Medical Corps no.1459027 Henry J Bamford Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 228632, 23211, 33651 dead 20.9.17 Percy Chivers Yorkshire Regiment 33652 Labour Corps no.609900 (June/July 1918) Henry William Cakebread Army Service Corps MT Depot Havre, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment MS/4452, 33885, 33653 ? 33654 Frank Davis Yorkshire Regiment 33655 Class Z George Frater Donaldson Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment DM2/209923 TR/5/26230, 33890, 33656 Labour Corps no.378472 53rd Coy (22 Sept 1917) Discharged 16.4.20 Charles Francis Army Service Corps 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 228031, 23239, 33657 dead 21.9.17 Charles E Fox Yorkshire Regiment TR/5/33899, 33658 Northumberland Fusiliers, 79591 Sydney Fellows Army Service Corps 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment M/297804, 22854, 33659 dead 5.10.18 Alfred Garbutt 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment TR/5/22492, 33660 Class Z William Hutchinson Yorkshire Regiment 34316, 33661 discharged 5.11.18 Sickness Frank H Herbert 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 23246, 33662 discharged Arthur Hirons Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment M/284111 TR/5/23244, 33909, 33663 discharged 21.11.18 Wounds Herbert S Hobson Yorkshire Regiment TR5/34200, 33664 Northumberland Fusiliers no.79717 John F Johnstone Yorkshire Regiment 33665 Class Z Frederick W Knowles Yorkshire Regiment 33666 Class Z Corporal William Maynard Yorkshire Regiment 33667 Dorsetshire Regiment no.47266 ? 33668 James D Prior Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 189792, 33932, 33669 dead 20.9.17 Albert Peacock Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment DM2/228155, 33933, 33670 Class Z Sergeant 3.5.18, MID London Gazette 6 Jan 1919 Edgar Robinson 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 33079, 33671 Dead 17.7.17 Leslie W Roberts Dorset, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 5259, 33936, 33672 dead 20.9.17 Benjamin Roberts Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regimentx3 267705, TR/5/23276, 33673 Class Z 21.2.19, wounded 5.10.17 Gun Shot left shoulder William Raymond Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment ‘C’ Companyx2, 226247, 33939, 33674 dead 1.10.17 Allan Reginald Stanley Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regimentx3 M/206375, TR/5/23287, 33944, 33675 Class Z 8.3.19 William T Smith Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regimentx2 220019, 33945, 33676 dead 22.7.17 Joseph W Savage Army Service Corps ‘K’ Supply Company, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment ‘C’ Company, 229752, TR/5/23285, 33946, 33677 Class Z Arthur Stringer Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment, 219245, 33678 10th Yorkshire, 2nd Yorkshire, Class Z John D Scott Yorkshire Regimentx2 33679 Class Z Sidney E Vickers Yorkshire Regiment 33680 Labour Corps no.398139 (Sept 1917), Royal Fusiliers no.GS/108424 David Williams Yorkshire Regimentx3 33681 Class Z Richard Ward Yorkshire Regiment 33682 Machine Gun Corps no.166366 Frank Woods 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regimentx3 33080, 33683 Class Z 12.3.19 Francis H Walthew Yorkshire Regiment 33684 East Yorkshire Regiment no.30689 Robert Wood Army Service Corps, Yorkshire Regiment T/4/036665, 33685 dead 8.5.18 Lance Corporal 31 Oct 1916 Army List 9th (Service) Battalion Yorkshire Regiment Holmes, Major. {temp.Lt Col) H. G., Res.of Off Major (2nd in Command.), Prior H. A. S.,D.S.O, (temp.Lt Col) Captain Parry, A.C.L Captain Barnes, A. C. Captain Thompson.G. K. M.C Captain Benke, L. L„ 3 Bn. Captain Hunnybun G, N.,Adjt Captain Wright, T. Lieutenant Tolson, R. H Lieutenant Greenwood, W. F. Lieutenant Roberts, A. B.H. M.C, Lieutenant Courage, P. M. Lieutenant Collier, E. Lieutenant Barraclough. C. Lieutenant Middleton, H. Lieutenant Ecob, W Lieutenant Gamble, W. R M.C. 2nd Lieutenant Laycock, J. 2nd Lieutenant Appleyard, E. E. 2nd Lieutenant Jardine, A. C. 2nd Lieutenant Robinson, A. F., 3 Bn,(Empld. Convalescent Hosp.) 2nd Lieutenant Millar,A.C.H. 2nd Lieutenant Jacobs. A. R. 2nd Lieutenant Bulmer. S. 2nd Lieutenant Blore,S. 2nd Lieutenant Finn,W.C.J. 2nd Lieutenant Boyce,G. 2nd Lieutenant Randall, H.E. 2nd Lieutenant Wilton, R.B. 2nd Lieutenant Daniels, A. 2nd Lieutenant Duncalfe, H. 2nd Lieutenant Blow.W.L. 2nd Lieutenant Almeill. D. B. 2nd Lieutenant Smith, F. 2nd Lieutenant Christmas H. R. 2nd Lieutenant Horner. K. W. R. 2nd Lieutenant Grimsley,W.H. 2nd Lieutenant Knight, H.W. 2nd Lieutenant Tinkler,L.M, M.C. 2nd Lieutenant Bingham, E.G. 2nd Lieutenant Brass. P 2nd Lieutenant Bennison M 2nd Lieutenant Maddison H 2nd Lieutenant Robinson C H 2nd Lieutenant Taylor W B 2nd Lieutenant Groom N 2nd Lieutenant Tomlinson G E 2nd Lieutenant Knowles G C Adjutant Captain Hunnybun G N Quarter Master Honorary Lieutenant Wall R E While he was with the 9th Battalion it took part in 2 Battles of the ‘3rd Ypres’ as part of the 2nd Army (Commanded by Plumer) Battalion had 2 men wounded 6 July 1917 The Battalion marched to the ‘Micmac’ Camp, and ‘C’ Company was sent to the Hedge Street Tunnels in relief of 10th Northumberland Fusilier’s in the frontline trenches. The weather was very hot at this time. 11-12 July 1917 2nd Lieutenant H Salmon accidently wounded plus one other rank wounded 11 July 1917 2nd Lieutenant W J Catton wounded 13 July 1917 Battalion had 4 men wounded 15 July 1917 17451 Private Thomas Harrison Killed in action 17 July 1917 235348 Private Patrick Dowd Killed in action Formerly 31796, Yorkshire Light Infantry. 41293 Private Bertie Gowers Killed in action Formerly 26292, Essex Regiment. 40563 Private Neville Hornsby Killed in action Formerly 26385, Essex Regiment. 38717 Acting Corporal John Gregory Pearson Killed in action Battalion had 8 men wounded 18 July 1917 Battalion moved into the front line in relief of the 19th West Riding Regiment. Battalion had 1 man wounded. One mule also killed 19 July 1917 Battalion had 3 men wounded 20 July 1917 22 July 1917 28252 Private William Charles Anderton Killed in action 33676 Private William Thomas Smith Killed in action Formerly 220019, Army Service Corps. The Battalion left the frontline for ‘Micmac Camp’ the move was hampered by hostile artillery fire causing a few casualties (6 killed, 1 wounded, 2 missing) 23 July 1917 41435 Private Arthur Redfearn Died of wounds Formerly 38180, Durham Light Infantry. 33678 Private Arthur Stringer wounded, gun shot wound left shoulder severe 23 July 1917 Admitted to no2 Military Hospital Ola Park Canterbury Battalion later marched to the Berthen Area. 24 July 1917 30342 Private John Kidd Died of wounds (Home) Training was conducted in the Tilques area which was hampered by bad weather. ‘C’ Company in billets in La Watine 27 July 1917 Battalion moved to billets at Boisdinghem ‘C’ Company remained at La Watine 30 July 33675 Private Allan Reginald Stanley admitted 23rd Divisional Rest Station with ‘Pyreaia’ 27 July to 3 Aug 1917 Training in ‘open warfare’ in the Tilques area with Good weather 1-9 Aug 1917 33675 Private Allan Reginald Stanley rejoined unit 3 Aug 1917 The Battalion moved to Moulle in drenching rain for training in ‘musketry and open warfare’. Good weather while training 9 Aug 1917 14 Aug 1917 18582 Private Robert Henry Dobinson Died The Battalion marched to Watten Station and entrained. At Abeele Station detrained and proceeded to Dallington camp 24 Aug 1917 33656 Private George Frater Donaldson admitted to 70th Field Ambulance DAH 24 Aug 1917 Then to 2nd Canadian CCS, 3 Canadian General Hospital, 37 TSB The Battalion entrained at Abeele and moved to Dickebusch 25 Aug 1917 26 Aug 1917 36225 Private John Lawrence Taylor Died of wounds (Home) Formerly 3/19473, East Yorkshire Regiment. Advance party sent to ‘Inverness Copse’ and ‘Glencorse Wood’ in preparation for an attack. 3 men were wounded as part of a ‘carrying party’ 27 Aug 1917 The Battalion moved to the Lederzeele area 1-3 Sept 1917 33683 Private Frank Woods admitted 70th Field Ambulance 2 Sept 1917 33683 Private Frank Woods returned to duty The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, 20 - 25 September 1917 Preparations during the first three weeks of September coincided with good weather; sunshine and wind dried. The Battalion took part in Special training for the taking of enemy strong points in preparation for the next assault 4 to 12 Sept 1917 Battalion had 1 man wounded 16 Sept 1917 Battalion had 1 man wounded 18 Sept 1917 ‘C’ Company were issued with Battle Stores 18-19 Sept 1917 ‘C’ company dug in at ‘Sanctuary Wood’ 19 Sept 1917 They were heavily shelled with high explosive and gas shells, ‘C’ & ‘D’ Company suffered 16 casualties (6 killed and 10 wounded) during the night. 14963 Private Francis William Crabtree 17788 Private Frank Drinkald 235359 Private Arthur Albert Garrett Formerly 8582, Northumberland Fusiliers. 33549 Private Arthur Geary, Formerly 31544, 11th Reserve Hussars Regiment. 18993 Lance Sergeant Ralph Richard Stoddart 10710 Private James Trott 29057 Private William Whitaker The Battle of the ‘Menin Road’, 20 - 25 September 1917 A lot of overnight rain the infantry were on their start positions by early morning The Battalion moved into its attack positions at 2am 20 Sept 1917 The Battalion advanced into Inverness Copse at 5:40am in the dark and mist combined with smoke across shell pitted ground littered with broken trees and barbed wire. They took cover in the shell holes. They were attacked by scattered remnants of Germans from their rear using grenades. At least 30 Germans killed in the Copse during the night. An assault was made on dugouts within the German frontline involving hand to hand fighting. Consolidated the capture positions and held off a counterattack. The Battalion lost 19 men killed, 139 wounded and 27 missing in action during this action. 4 officers killed and 6 wounded. Lieutenant Colonel R S Hart was in command of the Battalion at this time. Listed as Killed in action 20 Sept 1917 Lieutenant Noel Groom 2nd Lieutenant Richard Malcolm Mathews 2nd Lieutenant Lancelot Nicholson 2nd Lieutenant H J Bunker 16240 Sergeant Thomas William Hartley 24375 Sergeant Arnold Thomas Vincent Jonathan Kidd 40476 Sergeant Jonathan William Kindleysides. Formerly 28978, 11th Res Cav Regt. 15355 Corporal George Thompson 26162 Lance Corporal Joseph Ashman 15876 Lance Corporal Herbert Berrington 39264 Lance Corporal Peter Gosling 14453 Lance Corporal William Ernest Harrison 33178 Lance Corporal Robert William Peart. Formerly 1771, Norfolk Regiment. 33461 Lance Corporal Walter Henry Tindall. Formerly 253, East Yorkshire Regiment. 11648 Private Samuel Bailey 33651 Private Henry James Bamford. Formerly 228632, Army Service Corps 235342 Private William Bousfield. Formerly 3575, Northumberland Fusiliers. 41191 Private George William Brand. Formerly 6557, Durham Light Infantry 26716 Private Bertram Bransby 39250 Private James Brown 16026 Private James Cann 20679 Private Harold Cappleman 28956 Private George Carter 32514 Private John Denham 200381 Private Robert Thomas Doughty 28264 Private John William Gowan 38936 Private Robert Graham 36421 Private Robert Harper 27955 Private Henry Hart 27524 Private Harry Hartley 18233 Private George Hughes MM 41606 Private Herbert William Hutchins. Formerly 31305, 11th Reserve Cav. Regt. 24667 Private Stephen Jeffcock 38469 Private George William Jefferson 30585 Private Frederick Littlefair 3/8129 Private William Joseph Martin 235375 Private Robert Mcdowell. Formerly 4451, Northumberland Fusiliers. 28197 Private Arthur Hougson Perryman 33669 Private James Donovan Prior. Formerly 189792, Army Service Corps. 33672 Private Leslie William Roberts. Formerly 5259, Dorset Regiment. 43039 Private Sidney John Ross 42460 Private Elias Sanders. Formerly 164212, Royal Field Artillery M.M. 235323 Private Tom Percy Singleton. Formerly 8939, Northumberland Fusiliers. 242713 Private Arthur Leslie Timms 42689 Private Sidney George Waite. Formerly 30456, Northumberland Fusiliers. 36214 Private Herbert Vere Weissenborn. Formerly 21751, East Yorkshire Regiment. 235329 Private Archibald Herbert Wroth. Formerly 8927, Northumberland Fusiliers. 28473 Private George Moore Died of wounds List of Wounded Officers 20 Sept 1917 Captain G N Hunnybun Captain D W Maude Lieutenant H Duncalfe 2nd Lieutenant I G Evans 2nd Lieutenant R Wood 2nd Lieutenant B Wahl Battalion had 5 men killed, 21 wounded and 1 missing 21 Sept 1917 3/8878 Company Sergeant Major George Henry Flemming, Aged 41. Shot by a sniper while on patrol. 28162 Lance Corporal Joseph Baker 33657 Private Charles Francis, Formerly no.228031, Army Service Corps. 3/6892 Sergeant Bernard Kelly 23290 Private George Rutherford 25887 Private Harry Tate 14747 Private Thomas Trotter 27381 Private William Harold Wilmott Wounded 33677 Private Joseph William Savage Shrapnel Wound. Left Foot admitted 6th Field Ambulance 33582 Lance Corporal George Herbert Greenwood appointed Acting Corporal 21 Sept 1917 Battalion had 2 men killed and 18 wounded 22 Sept 1917 33507 Lance Corporal Henry Berry, Formerly no.32086, 11th Res. Hussars Regt. 36262 Private Albert Wilson, Formerly 19044, East Yorkshire Regiment. 33656 Private George Frater Donaldson transferred to Labour Corps, 53rd Company 23 Sept 1917 Battalion had 3 men killed and 5 wounded 23 Sept 1917 14552 Sergeant Albert Messenger 235470 Private Levi Thompson, Formerly no.6034, Durham Light Infantry 242655 Private John Webb 25763 Private Charles Nicholson Died of wounds ‘C’ company was relieved by the 2/5th Battalion Worcester Regiment and moved back to a Camp area near ‘Dickebush’ during the night 24-25 Sept Battalion had 3 men killed and 1 wounded 24 Sept 1917 3/8839 Acting Sergeant Richard Oglesby, M.M. 235476 Private Alfred Strong, Formerly no.5892, Durham Light Infantry 36037 Private Walter Webster 41218 Private Frederick Bell, Formerly no.42064, Durham Light Infantry Died of wounds The Battle of ‘Polygon Wood’, 26 September - 3 October 1917 Reorganization of Battalion 26 Sept 1917 26 Sept 1917 235370 Sergeant Thomas Greenwill Miller Died of wounds. Formerly 1932 Northumberland Fusiliers. 33677 Private Joseph William Savage posted to Depot 26 Sept 1917 To England from 1st Australian General Hospital, Rouen on Hospital Ship ‘Esseouibo’ to Bath War Hospital 26 Sept 1917 to 12 Feb 1918 Battalion had 1 man killed, 1 wounded and 1 missing 27 Sept 1917 Battalion had 4 men wounded and 1 missing 28 Sept 1917 2nd Lieutenant Harold John Bunker Killed in action 28 Sept 1917 33653 Private Henry William Cakebread wounded 28 Sept 1917 29 Sept 1917 19064 Private Joseph Walsh Killed in action. Formerly 19444,Yorkshire Light Infantry. The Battalion moved up into the Front line with 7 men wounded. Smoke and dust mixed with heavy ground mist made visibility poor 30 Sept 1917 The Battalion took over from the 8th Yorkshire Battalion in the frontline with ‘C’ company on the left flank. ‘C’ company came under a very heavy enemy barrage and the Battalion lost communications with ‘C’ company as a result. Private William Benner Raymond was killed in this enemy barrage 1 Oct 1917 aged 19 Extract from the 9th Yorkshire Battalion Regimental War Diary for 1 Oct 1917 LOCATION TRENCHES: 1 Oct.1917 The Battalion plus one Company 10th Duke of Wellington’s, took over from 8th Yorkshire Battalion as follows: “A” Company in support by CARLISLE FARM – “D” Company J15.d.50.45 to REUTEL BEEK J15.d.60.85 – “B” Company REUTEL BEEK to JUT FARM J16.c.10.20 – “D” Company Duke of Wellingtons JUT FARM J16.c.10.20 to J16.a.50.50 – “C” Company remained in same position. Very heavy barrage put up by the enemy from 4:30 am. “C” Company on our left attacked; heavy casualties feared. Communications between HQ and Company’s very difficult. Later 1 Officer and 10 men were reported missing from “C” Company on 5 Oct 1917 In the end 1 Officer and 14 men were reported killed in action List of men killed in the same action: 2nd Lieutenant Miles Bennison No.235474 Acting Sergeant Harry Barker, Durham (Formerly No.3111, Northumberland Fusiliers) No.16491 Private Lionel Hodgson (Military Medal), Whitby No.235340 Private Leonard William Bailey, Tipton (Formerly No.8041, Northumberland Fusiliers) No.235344 Private John Coxon, Hartlepool (Formerly No.8540, Northumberland Fusiliers) No. 17794 Private Thomas Edward Ferguson, MM. Died of wounds at the 10th Casualty Clearing Station near Poperinge. No.235355 Private Andrew Graham, Barony, Lanarkshire (Formerly No.4455, Northumberland Fusiliers) No.235490 Private William Henry Rushforth, Lewisham (Formerly No.5242, Durham Light Infantry) No.27448 Private Arthur Waite, Bradford No.28551 Private John George Wales, Middlesbrough No.29383 Private Horace Haselock, Wolverhampton (Formerly No.30363, Sherwood Foresters) No.33025 Private Frederick Bone, South Bank, Yorkshire No.33190 Private William Pask, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire (Formerly No.2586, Suffolk Regt) No.33674 Private William Raymond, Ballmullen Tralee, Co. Kerry (Formerly No.226247, Army Service Corps) No.38241 Private Arthur Reginald Thomas, Ludlow, Shropshire No.39939 Private Thomas Edward Clemson, West Bromwich (Formerly No.19939, Sherwood Foresters)
Richard Hudson Posted 24 December , 2011 Author Posted 24 December , 2011 The regimental history of the Great War is available from Naval and Military Press at a fairly modest price. Buy it from Amazon using the link at the top of the page and the forum benefits by a few pence, while Amazon normally undercut N&M except when N&M run one of their 20% off promotions. (£25 plus postage from N&M). Correction, Amazon have it at £23.75 "The Green Howards in the Great War". It covers all the battalions of the regiment that served, and has a significant chapter on each of the 8th and 9th battalions. If you don't fancy buying it or fancy a browse through it first, you can get an inter library loan through your local library, for a small fee, probably about 60p or thereabouts. The Long Long Trail (link at top of page), gives you an outline of the parts played by each battalion and their divisions, but it has to be limited in scope. Worth a look if you haven't already. Keith
Richard Hudson Posted 24 December , 2011 Author Posted 24 December , 2011 Keith Thanks for the info, sounds like a worthwhile purchase, I'll wait till after the Christmas rush and then order it. Regards Richard Richard - I don't know whether or not you are within travelling distance of Richmond to be able to spend some time at the Green Howards Regimental Museum. I was asked to try and trace the last days of the uncle (commemorated at Thiepval), of a friend of mine, who was killed while serving with the 9th Battalion. As a first step, I asked the museum if it was possible to see the war diaries; when I eventually visited by prior arrangement, I was made most welcome and allowed to use the bound volumes of the Regimental history, without charge but a donation was welcome - I'm sure you will be treated likewise. My friend's uncle, Private Sion George Hollinshead, 9th Battalion, was killed on the 5th of July 1916 in the attack on Horseshoe Trench, the same action in which Donald Bell won his VC - this is accessible on the ground from the road between Contalmaison and Fricourt, just about 1 kilometre south-west of Contalmaison, along a field track off to the right which more or less follows the line of Horseshoe trench towards Gordon Dump cemetery, where Donald Bell is buried. I made some notes while at the museum, and briefly the story of the 9th Battalion up to July 1916 was - formed at Richmond on the 26th September 1914, and in October of that year was attached to the 69th Brigade of the 23rd Division. On the 26th of August 1915 they landed at Boulogne, taking part in the Battle of Albert from 1st to 13th July 1916 as part of III Corps, 4th Army, fighting to capture Trones Wood, Mametz Wood and Contalmaison. Hopefully this will help with a few bones on which to build your research. John
Richard Hudson Posted 24 December , 2011 Author Posted 24 December , 2011 John Thanks for the reply, unfortunately do not live near Richmond, (Northern ireland), but maybe I might be able to organise a trip sometime. Given the date of 26th August landing in france I'm pretty sure my Grandfather was in the 9th Battlion, it quotes this date on his medal card. I can start researching further from here. Regards Richard
Richard Hudson Posted 24 December , 2011 Author Posted 24 December , 2011 Hi, I have a distant relative 33674 Private William Benner Raymond who was killed on 1 Oct 1917 serving with the 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. This is some information I have collected for his time with the 9th Battalion. Regards Mark He was posted from the 9th Training Reserve Battalion based at Rugeley Camp, Cannock Chase, Yorkshire to the British Expeditionary Force Depot in France 16 June 1917 Embarked on a transport ship at Folkestone 16 June 1917 Disembarked at Boulogne 17 June 1917 He was transferred to the front to join the Yorkshire Regiment, The Green Howards, 59th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Division, at its billets in 'Steenvoorde' and was posted to 'C' Company, 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment 5 July 1917. (Battalion had arrived in Boulogne on 27 Aug 1915.) Lieutenant Colonel H A S Prior was commanding the Battalion. New regimental No.33674 Private William Benner Raymond, was posted to 'C' Company This is a list of the men I believe made up the draft form the 9th Training Reserve Battalion to the British Expeditionary Force 33rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples 17 June 1917 going by the their Yorkshire Regiment regimental numbers. John Burns Yorkshire Regiment 33649 Labour Corps no.421311 (Nov 1917) Arthur S Butler Yorkshire Regiment 33650 Royal Army Medical Corps no.1459027 Henry J Bamford Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 228632, 23211, 33651 dead 20.9.17 Percy Chivers Yorkshire Regiment 33652 Labour Corps no.609900 (June/July 1918) Henry William Cakebread Army Service Corps MT Depot Havre, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment MS/4452, 33885, 33653 ? 33654 Frank Davis Yorkshire Regiment 33655 Class Z George Frater Donaldson Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment DM2/209923 TR/5/26230, 33890, 33656 Labour Corps no.378472 53rd Coy (22 Sept 1917) Discharged 16.4.20 Charles Francis Army Service Corps 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 228031, 23239, 33657 dead 21.9.17 Charles E Fox Yorkshire Regiment TR/5/33899, 33658 Northumberland Fusiliers, 79591 Sydney Fellows Army Service Corps 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment M/297804, 22854, 33659 dead 5.10.18 Alfred Garbutt 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment TR/5/22492, 33660 Class Z William Hutchinson Yorkshire Regiment 34316, 33661 discharged 5.11.18 Sickness Frank H Herbert 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 23246, 33662 discharged Arthur Hirons Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment M/284111 TR/5/23244, 33909, 33663 discharged 21.11.18 Wounds Herbert S Hobson Yorkshire Regiment TR5/34200, 33664 Northumberland Fusiliers no.79717 John F Johnstone Yorkshire Regiment 33665 Class Z Frederick W Knowles Yorkshire Regiment 33666 Class Z Corporal William Maynard Yorkshire Regiment 33667 Dorsetshire Regiment no.47266 ? 33668 James D Prior Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 189792, 33932, 33669 dead 20.9.17 Albert Peacock Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment DM2/228155, 33933, 33670 Class Z Sergeant 3.5.18, MID London Gazette 6 Jan 1919 Edgar Robinson 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 33079, 33671 Dead 17.7.17 Leslie W Roberts Dorset, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 5259, 33936, 33672 dead 20.9.17 Benjamin Roberts Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regimentx3 267705, TR/5/23276, 33673 Class Z 21.2.19, wounded 5.10.17 Gun Shot left shoulder William Raymond Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 'C' Companyx2, 226247, 33939, 33674 dead 1.10.17 Allan Reginald Stanley Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regimentx3 M/206375, TR/5/23287, 33944, 33675 Class Z 8.3.19 William T Smith Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regimentx2 220019, 33945, 33676 dead 22.7.17 Joseph W Savage Army Service Corps 'K' Supply Company, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment 'C' Company, 229752, TR/5/23285, 33946, 33677 Class Z Arthur Stringer Army Service Corps, 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regiment, 219245, 33678 10th Yorkshire, 2nd Yorkshire, Class Z John D Scott Yorkshire Regimentx2 33679 Class Z Sidney E Vickers Yorkshire Regiment 33680 Labour Corps no.398139 (Sept 1917), Royal Fusiliers no.GS/108424 David Williams Yorkshire Regimentx3 33681 Class Z Richard Ward Yorkshire Regiment 33682 Machine Gun Corps no.166366 Frank Woods 9th TRB, Yorkshire Regimentx3 33080, 33683 Class Z 12.3.19 Francis H Walthew Yorkshire Regiment 33684 East Yorkshire Regiment no.30689 Robert Wood Army Service Corps, Yorkshire Regiment T/4/036665, 33685 dead 8.5.18 Lance Corporal 31 Oct 1916 Army List 9th (Service) Battalion Yorkshire Regiment Holmes, Major. {temp.Lt Col) H. G., Res.of Off Major (2nd in Command.), Prior H. A. S.,D.S.O, (temp.Lt Col) Captain Parry, A.C.L Captain Barnes, A. C. Captain Thompson.G. K. M.C Captain Benke, L. L„ 3 Bn. Captain Hunnybun G, N.,Adjt Captain Wright, T. Lieutenant Tolson, R. H Lieutenant Greenwood, W. F. Lieutenant Roberts, A. B.H. M.C, Lieutenant Courage, P. M. Lieutenant Collier, E. Lieutenant Barraclough. C. Lieutenant Middleton, H. Lieutenant Ecob, W Lieutenant Gamble, W. R M.C. 2nd Lieutenant Laycock, J. 2nd Lieutenant Appleyard, E. E. 2nd Lieutenant Jardine, A. C. 2nd Lieutenant Robinson, A. F., 3 Bn,(Empld. Convalescent Hosp.) 2nd Lieutenant Millar,A.C.H. 2nd Lieutenant Jacobs. A. R. 2nd Lieutenant Bulmer. S. 2nd Lieutenant Blore,S. 2nd Lieutenant Finn,W.C.J. 2nd Lieutenant Boyce,G. 2nd Lieutenant Randall, H.E. 2nd Lieutenant Wilton, R.B. 2nd Lieutenant Daniels, A. 2nd Lieutenant Duncalfe, H. 2nd Lieutenant Blow.W.L. 2nd Lieutenant Almeill. D. B. 2nd Lieutenant Smith, F. 2nd Lieutenant Christmas H. R. 2nd Lieutenant Horner. K. W. R. 2nd Lieutenant Grimsley,W.H. 2nd Lieutenant Knight, H.W. 2nd Lieutenant Tinkler,L.M, M.C. 2nd Lieutenant Bingham, E.G. 2nd Lieutenant Brass. P 2nd Lieutenant Bennison M 2nd Lieutenant Maddison H 2nd Lieutenant Robinson C H 2nd Lieutenant Taylor W B 2nd Lieutenant Groom N 2nd Lieutenant Tomlinson G E 2nd Lieutenant Knowles G C Adjutant Captain Hunnybun G N Quarter Master Honorary Lieutenant Wall R E While he was with the 9th Battalion it took part in 2 Battles of the '3rd Ypres' as part of the 2nd Army (Commanded by Plumer) Battalion had 2 men wounded 6 July 1917 The Battalion marched to the 'Micmac' Camp, and 'C' Company was sent to the Hedge Street Tunnels in relief of 10th Northumberland Fusilier's in the frontline trenches. The weather was very hot at this time. 11-12 July 1917 2nd Lieutenant H Salmon accidently wounded plus one other rank wounded 11 July 1917 2nd Lieutenant W J Catton wounded 13 July 1917 Battalion had 4 men wounded 15 July 1917 17451 Private Thomas Harrison Killed in action 17 July 1917 235348 Private Patrick Dowd Killed in action Formerly 31796, Yorkshire Light Infantry. 41293 Private Bertie Gowers Killed in action Formerly 26292, Essex Regiment. 40563 Private Neville Hornsby Killed in action Formerly 26385, Essex Regiment. 38717 Acting Corporal John Gregory Pearson Killed in action Battalion had 8 men wounded 18 July 1917 Battalion moved into the front line in relief of the 19th West Riding Regiment. Battalion had 1 man wounded. One mule also killed 19 July 1917 Battalion had 3 men wounded 20 July 1917 22 July 1917 28252 Private William Charles Anderton Killed in action 33676 Private William Thomas Smith Killed in action Formerly 220019, Army Service Corps. The Battalion left the frontline for 'Micmac Camp' the move was hampered by hostile artillery fire causing a few casualties (6 killed, 1 wounded, 2 missing) 23 July 1917 41435 Private Arthur Redfearn Died of wounds Formerly 38180, Durham Light Infantry. 33678 Private Arthur Stringer wounded, gun shot wound left shoulder severe 23 July 1917 Admitted to no2 Military Hospital Ola Park Canterbury Battalion later marched to the Berthen Area. 24 July 1917 30342 Private John Kidd Died of wounds (Home) Training was conducted in the Tilques area which was hampered by bad weather. 'C' Company in billets in La Watine 27 July 1917 Battalion moved to billets at Boisdinghem 'C' Company remained at La Watine 30 July 33675 Private Allan Reginald Stanley admitted 23rd Divisional Rest Station with 'Pyreaia' 27 July to 3 Aug 1917 Training in 'open warfare' in the Tilques area with Good weather 1-9 Aug 1917 33675 Private Allan Reginald Stanley rejoined unit 3 Aug 1917 The Battalion moved to Moulle in drenching rain for training in 'musketry and open warfare'. Good weather while training 9 Aug 1917 14 Aug 1917 18582 Private Robert Henry Dobinson Died The Battalion marched to Watten Station and entrained. At Abeele Station detrained and proceeded to Dallington camp 24 Aug 1917 33656 Private George Frater Donaldson admitted to 70th Field Ambulance DAH 24 Aug 1917 Then to 2nd Canadian CCS, 3 Canadian General Hospital, 37 TSB The Battalion entrained at Abeele and moved to Dickebusch 25 Aug 1917 26 Aug 1917 36225 Private John Lawrence Taylor Died of wounds (Home) Formerly 3/19473, East Yorkshire Regiment. Advance party sent to 'Inverness Copse' and 'Glencorse Wood' in preparation for an attack. 3 men were wounded as part of a 'carrying party' 27 Aug 1917 The Battalion moved to the Lederzeele area 1-3 Sept 1917 33683 Private Frank Woods admitted 70th Field Ambulance 2 Sept 1917 33683 Private Frank Woods returned to duty The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, 20 - 25 September 1917 Preparations during the first three weeks of September coincided with good weather; sunshine and wind dried. The Battalion took part in Special training for the taking of enemy strong points in preparation for the next assault 4 to 12 Sept 1917 Battalion had 1 man wounded 16 Sept 1917 Battalion had 1 man wounded 18 Sept 1917 'C' Company were issued with Battle Stores 18-19 Sept 1917 'C' company dug in at 'Sanctuary Wood' 19 Sept 1917 They were heavily shelled with high explosive and gas shells, 'C' & 'D' Company suffered 16 casualties (6 killed and 10 wounded) during the night. 14963 Private Francis William Crabtree 17788 Private Frank Drinkald 235359 Private Arthur Albert Garrett Formerly 8582, Northumberland Fusiliers. 33549 Private Arthur Geary, Formerly 31544, 11th Reserve Hussars Regiment. 18993 Lance Sergeant Ralph Richard Stoddart 10710 Private James Trott 29057 Private William Whitaker The Battle of the 'Menin Road', 20 - 25 September 1917 A lot of overnight rain the infantry were on their start positions by early morning The Battalion moved into its attack positions at 2am 20 Sept 1917 The Battalion advanced into Inverness Copse at 5:40am in the dark and mist combined with smoke across shell pitted ground littered with broken trees and barbed wire. They took cover in the shell holes. They were attacked by scattered remnants of Germans from their rear using grenades. At least 30 Germans killed in the Copse during the night. An assault was made on dugouts within the German frontline involving hand to hand fighting. Consolidated the capture positions and held off a counterattack. The Battalion lost 19 men killed, 139 wounded and 27 missing in action during this action. 4 officers killed and 6 wounded. Lieutenant Colonel R S Hart was in command of the Battalion at this time. Listed as Killed in action 20 Sept 1917 Lieutenant Noel Groom 2nd Lieutenant Richard Malcolm Mathews 2nd Lieutenant Lancelot Nicholson 2nd Lieutenant H J Bunker 16240 Sergeant Thomas William Hartley 24375 Sergeant Arnold Thomas Vincent Jonathan Kidd 40476 Sergeant Jonathan William Kindleysides. Formerly 28978, 11th Res Cav Regt. 15355 Corporal George Thompson 26162 Lance Corporal Joseph Ashman 15876 Lance Corporal Herbert Berrington 39264 Lance Corporal Peter Gosling 14453 Lance Corporal William Ernest Harrison 33178 Lance Corporal Robert William Peart. Formerly 1771, Norfolk Regiment. 33461 Lance Corporal Walter Henry Tindall. Formerly 253, East Yorkshire Regiment. 11648 Private Samuel Bailey 33651 Private Henry James Bamford. Formerly 228632, Army Service Corps 235342 Private William Bousfield. Formerly 3575, Northumberland Fusiliers. 41191 Private George William Brand. Formerly 6557, Durham Light Infantry 26716 Private Bertram Bransby 39250 Private James Brown 16026 Private James Cann 20679 Private Harold Cappleman 28956 Private George Carter 32514 Private John Denham 200381 Private Robert Thomas Doughty 28264 Private John William Gowan 38936 Private Robert Graham 36421 Private Robert Harper 27955 Private Henry Hart 27524 Private Harry Hartley 18233 Private George Hughes MM 41606 Private Herbert William Hutchins. Formerly 31305, 11th Reserve Cav. Regt. 24667 Private Stephen Jeffcock 38469 Private George William Jefferson 30585 Private Frederick Littlefair 3/8129 Private William Joseph Martin 235375 Private Robert Mcdowell. Formerly 4451, Northumberland Fusiliers. 28197 Private Arthur Hougson Perryman 33669 Private James Donovan Prior. Formerly 189792, Army Service Corps. 33672 Private Leslie William Roberts. Formerly 5259, Dorset Regiment. 43039 Private Sidney John Ross 42460 Private Elias Sanders. Formerly 164212, Royal Field Artillery M.M. 235323 Private Tom Percy Singleton. Formerly 8939, Northumberland Fusiliers. 242713 Private Arthur Leslie Timms 42689 Private Sidney George Waite. Formerly 30456, Northumberland Fusiliers. 36214 Private Herbert Vere Weissenborn. Formerly 21751, East Yorkshire Regiment. 235329 Private Archibald Herbert Wroth. Formerly 8927, Northumberland Fusiliers. 28473 Private George Moore Died of wounds List of Wounded Officers 20 Sept 1917 Captain G N Hunnybun Captain D W Maude Lieutenant H Duncalfe 2nd Lieutenant I G Evans 2nd Lieutenant R Wood 2nd Lieutenant B Wahl Battalion had 5 men killed, 21 wounded and 1 missing 21 Sept 1917 3/8878 Company Sergeant Major George Henry Flemming, Aged 41. Shot by a sniper while on patrol. 28162 Lance Corporal Joseph Baker 33657 Private Charles Francis, Formerly no.228031, Army Service Corps. 3/6892 Sergeant Bernard Kelly 23290 Private George Rutherford 25887 Private Harry Tate 14747 Private Thomas Trotter 27381 Private William Harold Wilmott Wounded 33677 Private Joseph William Savage Shrapnel Wound. Left Foot admitted 6th Field Ambulance 33582 Lance Corporal George Herbert Greenwood appointed Acting Corporal 21 Sept 1917 Battalion had 2 men killed and 18 wounded 22 Sept 1917 33507 Lance Corporal Henry Berry, Formerly no.32086, 11th Res. Hussars Regt. 36262 Private Albert Wilson, Formerly 19044, East Yorkshire Regiment. 33656 Private George Frater Donaldson transferred to Labour Corps, 53rd Company 23 Sept 1917 Battalion had 3 men killed and 5 wounded 23 Sept 1917 14552 Sergeant Albert Messenger 235470 Private Levi Thompson, Formerly no.6034, Durham Light Infantry 242655 Private John Webb 25763 Private Charles Nicholson Died of wounds 'C' company was relieved by the 2/5th Battalion Worcester Regiment and moved back to a Camp area near 'Dickebush' during the night 24-25 Sept Battalion had 3 men killed and 1 wounded 24 Sept 1917 3/8839 Acting Sergeant Richard Oglesby, M.M. 235476 Private Alfred Strong, Formerly no.5892, Durham Light Infantry 36037 Private Walter Webster 41218 Private Frederick Bell, Formerly no.42064, Durham Light Infantry Died of wounds The Battle of 'Polygon Wood', 26 September - 3 October 1917 Reorganization of Battalion 26 Sept 1917 26 Sept 1917 235370 Sergeant Thomas Greenwill Miller Died of wounds. Formerly 1932 Northumberland Fusiliers. 33677 Private Joseph William Savage posted to Depot 26 Sept 1917 To England from 1st Australian General Hospital, Rouen on Hospital Ship 'Esseouibo' to Bath War Hospital 26 Sept 1917 to 12 Feb 1918 Battalion had 1 man killed, 1 wounded and 1 missing 27 Sept 1917 Battalion had 4 men wounded and 1 missing 28 Sept 1917 2nd Lieutenant Harold John Bunker Killed in action 28 Sept 1917 33653 Private Henry William Cakebread wounded 28 Sept 1917 29 Sept 1917 19064 Private Joseph Walsh Killed in action. Formerly 19444,Yorkshire Light Infantry. The Battalion moved up into the Front line with 7 men wounded. Smoke and dust mixed with heavy ground mist made visibility poor 30 Sept 1917 The Battalion took over from the 8th Yorkshire Battalion in the frontline with 'C' company on the left flank. 'C' company came under a very heavy enemy barrage and the Battalion lost communications with 'C' company as a result. Private William Benner Raymond was killed in this enemy barrage 1 Oct 1917 aged 19 Extract from the 9th Yorkshire Battalion Regimental War Diary for 1 Oct 1917 LOCATION TRENCHES: 1 Oct.1917 The Battalion plus one Company 10th Duke of Wellington's, took over from 8th Yorkshire Battalion as follows: "A" Company in support by CARLISLE FARM – "D" Company J15.d.50.45 to REUTEL BEEK J15.d.60.85 – "B" Company REUTEL BEEK to JUT FARM J16.c.10.20 – "D" Company Duke of Wellingtons JUT FARM J16.c.10.20 to J16.a.50.50 – "C" Company remained in same position. Very heavy barrage put up by the enemy from 4:30 am. "C" Company on our left attacked; heavy casualties feared. Communications between HQ and Company's very difficult. Later 1 Officer and 10 men were reported missing from "C" Company on 5 Oct 1917 In the end 1 Officer and 14 men were reported killed in action List of men killed in the same action: 2nd Lieutenant Miles Bennison No.235474 Acting Sergeant Harry Barker, Durham (Formerly No.3111, Northumberland Fusiliers) No.16491 Private Lionel Hodgson (Military Medal), Whitby No.235340 Private Leonard William Bailey, Tipton (Formerly No.8041, Northumberland Fusiliers) No.235344 Private John Coxon, Hartlepool (Formerly No.8540, Northumberland Fusiliers) No. 17794 Private Thomas Edward Ferguson, MM. Died of wounds at the 10th Casualty Clearing Station near Poperinge. No.235355 Private Andrew Graham, Barony, Lanarkshire (Formerly No.4455, Northumberland Fusiliers) No.235490 Private William Henry Rushforth, Lewisham (Formerly No.5242, Durham Light Infantry) No.27448 Private Arthur Waite, Bradford No.28551 Private John George Wales, Middlesbrough No.29383 Private Horace Haselock, Wolverhampton (Formerly No.30363, Sherwood Foresters) No.33025 Private Frederick Bone, South Bank, Yorkshire No.33190 Private William Pask, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire (Formerly No.2586, Suffolk Regt) No.33674 Private William Raymond, Ballmullen Tralee, Co. Kerry (Formerly No.226247, Army Service Corps) No.38241 Private Arthur Reginald Thomas, Ludlow, Shropshire No.39939 Private Thomas Edward Clemson, West Bromwich (Formerly No.19939, Sherwood Foresters)
Richard Hudson Posted 24 December , 2011 Author Posted 24 December , 2011 Mark Thanks for the brilliant information, where did you get it?. It looks like my grandfather was in the 9th Battlion given the other information thats been coming through. How do i find out what Company he was in?, there are no service papers as they were destroyed in WW2!! It would also be nice to know if he had a special trade or something. Regards Richard
Richard Hudson Posted 24 December , 2011 Author Posted 24 December , 2011 8th and 9th Battalions were in same Bde so were always close. I've just recorded the 8th's doings. The 8th was reduced to cadre in Feb 1918 while the 9th went on to take part in the Battle of 100 Days. This period of the 9th's history I'll record later 8th battalion trained around Frensham, Aldershot, Folkestone and Bramshott Camp during 1915, arriving at Boulogne on August 26th 1915 at 11.20pm First experiences of the trenches took place near Erquinghem on 13th September Into the Bois Grenier sector where it remained until end of February 1916 before moving to Bruay area 7th March: relieved French troops about Gouay Servins. During March moved to Bruay, Hersin and on to Angres. Remained until end of June in Angres sector. 24th June: to the Somme. 1st July: in Bazieux Wood; 2nd July in Albert; 3rd July in bivouacs on Tara Hill attached to 34th Division. 5th July: helped take Horseshoe Trench. By evening were in part of Horseshoe, being relieved next morning by 68th Bde Involved in successful attack on Contalmaison on 10th 5th August: beat off attacks in Munster Alley then group of Battalion bombers took parts of Munster and Torr Trench and held them against repeated attacks 25th August: to trenches near Papot in Bailleul sector. early September: training about St Omer 10th Sept: back to the Somme. On 18th around Bazentin-le-Petit Wood providing carrying parties 2nd October: in Destremont,Zigzag and other trenches to the right of the Le Sars Road 4th Oct: C Company and bombers successfully attacked and held sap in OG2 to right of Bapaume Road 7th Oct: Le Sars captured and C Co supported 9th Yorks 8th Oct: provided working parties 9th Oct: in Albert 12th Oct to end of the year : in and around billets in Poperinghe and front line. Very little activity mentioned. Patrol work carried out until February 1917 20th Feb: raid on enemy. No prisoners and no casualties Training around Houlle for 6 weeks 14th April: acting as carrying parties for RE in Ypres sector. Billets in Toronto Camp and farms around Steenvoorde 3rd June: Ouderdom 7th June: In assembly trenches Panama Canal and Jackson Avenue for Battle of Messines. Red Line captured 10th - 12th June battalion relieved and moved to Montreal Camp. Then to Berthen End of June: Alberta camp, Reninghelst 30th June: Back to place of their success on 7th June 13th July: Steenvoorde 13th July back in roughly same trenches 26th July: After train and march arrived in comfortable billets in Acquin 9th Aug: Houlle 24th Aug: Abeele 19th Sept: Camp at Dickebusch 20th Sept: Attack on Inverness Copse Night of 20th/21st: consolidation of gains Oct: In the line about Reninghelst, out of the line at various camps including Micmac 7th Nov: Acquin then entrained at Wizernes for Italy 19th Nov: Arrived in the Montello sector on the Piave where they remained until the end of the year. 1918 Were still in the sector until relieved in mid-February and into billets in Brioni and Loria 25th Feb: Montello sector 4 weeks later to the Asiago Plateau April & May: quiet, patrolling 8th June: raid by D Co. Mainly successful with 1 Officer killed and 3 OR's wounded 15th June: Attack by Austrains on 23rd and 48th Divisional front. 23rd Division repulsed attack completely. Enemy penetrated 48th Div front for 3000 yds, but was ejected on 16th 15th June: Battalion in the line at Grenazza 17th June: into Bde reserve July, August and part of September: quiet. 23rd Division reduced to 10 Battalions to release other 3 for return to Western Front
Richard Hudson Posted 24 December , 2011 Author Posted 24 December , 2011 Thanks for the information, it's a great start to my research. I think he might have been in the 9th battlion, can you confirm if the 8th & 9th battlions landed at france on the same date of 26th August 1915. Thanks Richard
mhifle Posted 24 December , 2011 Posted 24 December , 2011 Hi, The 8th & 9th Battalion War Diaries can be downloaded from the National Archives, see link below Regards Mark War Diaries
Charles Fair Posted 24 December , 2011 Posted 24 December , 2011 The 8th Battalion crossed on the 26th August. There is a lot about the 8th up until July 1916 in my forthcoming book "Marjorie's War". My grandmother Marjorie Secretan was engaged to Capt Francis Dodgson of the 8th Yorks and the book includes their edited correspondence. Charles
Roger H Posted 24 December , 2011 Posted 24 December , 2011 Richard A tip. If you use "fast reply" the whole of the previous post will not be quoted. Roger
connaughtranger Posted 24 December , 2011 Posted 24 December , 2011 Thanks for the information, it's a great start to my research. I think he might have been in the 9th battlion, can you confirm if the 8th & 9th battlions landed at france on the same date of 26th August 1915. Thanks Richard Hi 9th battalion embarked at Folkestone and landed at Boulogne in the very early hours of 27th August Regards Martin
mhifle Posted 24 December , 2011 Posted 24 December , 2011 Hi, I think his regimental number would have him enlisting around Aug/Sept 1914, no.14789 was issued 31 Aug 1914. Regards Mark
Tyneside Chinaman Posted 25 December , 2011 Posted 25 December , 2011 Hi Got to take exception with the statement "The 8th was reduced to cadre in Feb 1918 while the 9th went on to take part in the Battle of 100 Days" The 8th Green Howards fought until the end in Italy after 13/DLI, 9/Green Howards and 11/Sherwood Foresters were withdrawn from 23 Div in September 1918 to go back to France where they formed 74 Brigade of the reconstituded 25th Division. As you can see by my signature I have a great interest in both 8 and 9/Green Howards. As I had relatives in both battalions. My Grandfather lost three of the fingers of his left hand shoving a grenade into an Austrian pillbox on the Piave in October 1918, when Sergeant McNally won his VC. regards John
connaughtranger Posted 27 December , 2011 Posted 27 December , 2011 Hi Got to take exception with the statement "The 8th was reduced to cadre in Feb 1918 while the 9th went on to take part in the Battle of 100 Days" The 8th Green Howards fought until the end in Italy after 13/DLI, 9/Green Howards and 11/Sherwood Foresters were withdrawn from 23 Div in September 1918 to go back to France where they formed 74 Brigade of the reconstituded 25th Division. As you can see by my signature I have a great interest in both 8 and 9/Green Howards. As I had relatives in both battalions. My Grandfather lost three of the fingers of his left hand shoving a grenade into an Austrian pillbox on the Piave in October 1918, when Sergeant McNally won his VC. regards John My apologies: the 8th remained in Italy and the date should have read February 1919
Tyneside Chinaman Posted 27 December , 2011 Posted 27 December , 2011 Hi, No problem I guessed it was a typo but had to give the 8th and the rest of 23rd Division credit for forcing the crossing of the Piave. regards John
tyke52 Posted 7 January , 2012 Posted 7 January , 2012 Mark, Thanks for posting the info on 9th Battalion. I'm researching Lionel Hodgson, a Castleton lad, who was killed on 1st October 1917 and found him named in the War Diary extract you posted. He was awarded the MM; anyone able to point me in the right direction for accessing details of the award. Thanks again, Martin
kevin Posted 8 January , 2012 Posted 8 January , 2012 Morning Mark The link to London Gazette for the annoucment of the award of the MM http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30498/supplements/1388. If you work on the 3 to 4 month rule for the award you are looking at Sept/Oct 1917. Hope this is of some help in pointing you in a direction. Regards Kevin
Capt B Posted 12 June , 2017 Posted 12 June , 2017 Hi all. I have just found this thread and I realise that we are some years since it was first put up. However, I have an interest in a chap called Private Bertie Gowers. He is listed as KIA 17 July 1917 in mhilfe's post above. My question is where did you get all this detailed info? It does not come from the war diary. The war diary typically does not mention soldiers by name. Also, have you found anymore info since 2011? My main interest is trying to discover when Bertie Gowers actually joined the 9th Yorks. I suspect he was a replacement following the 7 June offensive.
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