2nd Lt. Horace Tolson 2/8th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

[Richard M Tolson]

Hi

I am trying to find information on my relative 2nd Lt. Horace Tolson who died on the 29th of March 1918 at Demuin. He joined the 2/8 th Royal Warwickshires sometime in late 1917 and was reassigned after the reorganisation of Feb 20th 1918. I would like to know if anyone has a copy of the 2/8thWarwickshires war diary from November 1917 to Feb 20th 1918.

Richard T

[Alan Tucker]

I do not have the war diary but you might also need to look at 'Black Square Memories. An account of the 2/8th Bn RWR 1914-1918'. H.T Chidgey. 1924.

Do a Forum search because I think he has cropped up before....In my database I have....

Attended Holmfirth Wesleyan Day School then Winchester College where he trained as a teacher. Was teaching at a large Liverpool School when the war broke out. In September 1914 he joined up. Served in the 87 Field Ambulance RAMC. Wounded when i/c a machine gun at Demuin. Presumably at the time of death had been transferred to the 2/7 or the 25th Entrenching Bn.

His officer file is at National Archives WO/374/69036

[Richard M Tolson]

Thanks for the information Alan

[GraemeClarke]

Hi

is this your web site

http://www.davidbohl.webspace.virginmedia.com/Horace%20Tolson.htm

??

Regards,

Graeme

[Richard M Tolson]

Hi Graeme

No it has no direct connection to myself, though I am aware of it.

I am in possession of all the information on the site and more. I am trying to piece together his life story. His service record gives no detail of his time with the 2/8 Royal Warwickshires, so the detail of the last 3 to 4 months of his life, apart from his death are a mystery at present. He was gazetted in November 1917, but when exactly he returned to France is unclear. I have studied the war diaries of the 2/6 and 2/7 battalions, but no mention is made of him there, although he is listed in the book on the 2/6 as a casualty. I would imagine that the last week of his life was very chaotic as they fought a constant rearguard action. I am hoping that if I can see the Nov 1917 to Feb 20 1918 part of the 2/8 war diary it will fill in a gap in my knowledge.

Richard Tolson

[Alan Tucker]

I will be using the copy of the 2/8 War Diary for that period sometime before Christmas (copy in the 'Fusiliers Museum, Warwick) and will then write it up. I can look out for Tolson. Can you wait that long? If so send me a message in early December.

[Richard M Tolson]

Thanks Alan

I will be in touch in due course

Richard

[KevinBattle]

The Bohl website carries a lot of "personal" family information and photos.

There is one of him as 2nd Lt dated March 1918, so it has to be at the early part of March with him posing with wife in the UK.

That surely leaves the last 3 weeks to be filled, as he was commissioned (from Private) 30 October 1917, he's hardly likely to have been to France and back again in just a couple of months.

Perhaps the caption date should more correctly be late 1917 rather than March 1918?

Who provided the photo and attributed the date?

His Medal Index Card shows he first went to Gallipoli 21 October 1915 and has the 1915 Star as RAMC, then his British War and Victory medals show Officer, Royal Warwickshire Reg't.

Hope that helps while you are waiting!

[Richard M Tolson]

Hi Kevin

The photo you refer to is with his youngest sister Marion. It was undoubtedly taken in late 1917 after he was commissioned. The photo was provided by a 3rd cousin of mine. I don't know who attributed the date, but it is incorrect.

Thanks for your help.

Richard

[KevinBattle]

Thanks Richard, I jumped to that assumption but, on seeing his Probate entry, suspected it might be Marion who inherited.