11th (Service Battalion) Rifle Brigade,

[algy]

I have quite a bit of information on my paternal great uncle Rifleman Thomas Victor Johnson of the 11th (Service Battalion) Rifle Brigade, Svc No. S/2135 including his service records, he was KIA 18/9/16 at the age of 19 (enlisted 1914 aged 17), his name is on the wall of the Thiepval memorial, as his body was never found, could someone help me please as to where he would have been on the day he was killed, I realise you can't be precise but I presume he would have been in action at that time. thanks,

Algy.

[Bardess]

Hi Algy and welcome to the Forum. Here are the War Diary entries for that period

09.09.16 CORBIE

The Brigade parades at 11:45am to be addressed by Major General SMITH. He congratulates us on taking GUILLEMONT, “the place which has been holding up the whole British Army”. The Bn starts the work of reforming.

10.09.16 CORBIE

Church Parade 11am. 2/Lieut E TRAPNELL joins the Bn as reinforcement.

11.09.16 CORBIE

We move back to the BOIS DES TAILLES.

12.09.16 BOIS DES TAILLES

The reforming of the Bn and the training of specialists is continued.

13.09.16 BOIS DES TAILLES

Training and reforming continued.

14.09.16 HAPPY VALLEY [ALBERT]

We move into HAPPY VALLEY and take over a Camp from the Guards.

15.09.16 BRONFAY FARM

At 5:45am we move on and bivouac near BRONFAY FARM with orders to move at 10 minutes notice.

16.09.16 TALUS WOOD

At 4:45am we move on to TALUS WOOD where we bivouac. In the late afternoon we are told that we are to attack LESBOEUFS next day. At 9pm we move up to the line to take over from the Guards who had attacked in the morning and had not reached their objective. Complete ignorance of the guides sent us as to where exactly to find the Guards, made relief very difficult and a long process. To add to our difficulties we ran into a certain amount of tear gas in the low lying parts between TRONES WOOD and the LONGUEVAL – GUILLEMONT Road. The relief was complete about 4:30am. The work of deepening and improving the trenches was immediately begun.

17.09.16 TRENCHES

The enemy start to bombard at 9am and continue to do so the whole day. In the afternoon we receive orders to attack the line running from T.3.a.9.1 to T.3.d.1.6. We attack on a 3 Coy front in conjunction with the 10^th Bn RB and 11^th Bn KRRC [the 10^th Bn KRRC were in support in the FLERS line] but owing to the orderly with the orders for attack being hit, D Coy did not move up in support.

The attack was a failure owing to:-

insufficient barrage and that not on the German trench;

[ii] the Brigade on our RIGHT and LEFT had not reached the positions they were thought to be in and therefore unable to assist us as had been arranged;

[iii] the distance over which the Bn had to attack;

[iv] our jumping off trench being at right angles to the German trench;

[v] the overwhelming MG fire from both flanks and the front. The Brigade retired into their original trenches with the 10^th KRRC still in support in the FLERS line about T8a.

18.09.16 TRENCHES

It rains hard all day. By the evening the trenches are in an awful state and the men very much exhausted. Rain continues all night.

[Bardess]

The casualty list

[algy]

Bardess, thank you for the prompt reply and the information that in my wildest dreams I never thought I would ever find, if you have any other information regarding the Battalions movements prior to this date could you possibly please post them. It worry's me a little that the form asks whether the men "undermentioned were posted as deserted on or prior to the dates on which they were reported as missing". great uncle Tom never materialised and being as his name is on Thiepval and our local Cenotaph in Warrington I think I can safely say he was 'Killed in Action'.

[Bardess]

You're very welcome. The War Diary is quite detailed in parts. How far back did you wish to see?

[algy]

Would it be too cheeky to go back as far when they landed in boulogne.?. if so perhaps when they first went into action!.

[Bardess]

Erm...that's over 30 typed pages

[MBrockway]

Would it be too cheeky to go back as far when they landed in boulogne.?. if so perhaps when they first went into action!.

Algy - that's over a year's worth of diary to transcribe for both!!

If you splash out on the History of the Twentieth (Light) Division by Capt V.E. Inglefield, you will get an excellent perspective of the battalion's experiences as well as the wider context of what the division was up to at a very reasonable outlay!

If you do decide to buy, then don't forget that buying through Amazon or Abebooks via the Donation link at the top of the page brings a small commission to the forum to help keep us on the road.

Cheers,

Mark

[algy]

Ooer! I' m awfull sorry, I honestly did'nt anticipate that amount, I have read where they were in action at mount sorrel or later at th Battle of Delvile Wood or sometime that you think is reasonable to do, I really would be pleased to take anything that you think is reasonable Diane as I just want an appreciation of what his life was like over there. my grandmother (his sister) never got over his loss and when the placed his name on the Scroll of Honour at the Cenotaph at Warrington, about 1920 they ommitted his second initial, so his name read Johnson T instead of Johnson TV and it has taken years to have it corrected which I managed to do for 2011 Rememberance Day. My great grandmother and my gran were devasted and unfortunately never saw his name corrected.

Thanks again.

Algy (Alan).

sorry you must have posted your last reply, while I was replying I shall see into buying the book.

[Bardess]

How about a couple of months? Unfortunately the formatting is affected when posting.

01.07.16 VLAMERTINGHE

HRH the Prince of Wales visits Camp ‘A’. Working parties on X line and at BRANDHOEK under 96^th Coy RE [285 OR].

02.07.16 VLAMERTINGHE

Working parties on X line and at BRANDHOEK under 96^th Coy RE [285 OR]. Baths in POPERINGHE allotted to this Bn. 1 OR wounded at duty.

03.07.16 VLAMERTINGHE

Working parties as on 1^st and 2^nd July 1916 and also an additional party under Divisional Signals for carrying cable [100 OR].

04.07.16 VLAMERTINGHE

Same as 3^rd July 1916. 1 OR wounded. 30 OR join as reinforcements.

05.07.16 VLAMERTINGHE

Same as 4^th July 1916. 100 extra on Divisional Signals working party.

06.07.16 TRENCHES

Relieve 12^th Bn King’s Liverpool in the trenches. Dispositions: 1 Coy in B9, B10; 1 platoon in CAVAN trench [a new trench in front of B11 and B12 from WIELTJE to CROSS ROADS Fm]; 3 platoons in HORDENS POST, S10a, B11 and B12; one platoon in S12a, 3 platoons in X8; 2 platoons in LA BRIQUE POST; two platoons and Bn HQ in ST JEAN. 12 OR transferred to 11^th Bn RB from XIV Corps Cyclist Bn. Captain CURTIS, GSO 3, XX Div attached to Bn for instructions.

07.07.16 TRENCHES

LEFT RB group shell in front of WIELTJE. Enemy retaliate on front line. 2 OR killed; 2 OR wounded. Carrying of gas cylinders into trenches commences. Work on front line and communication trenches which had been badly damaged by recent wet weather. MG active.

08.07.16 TRENCHES

Reciprocal shelling. LEFT group RA shell round FREZENBERG crossroads. Enemy shell batteries with gas shells. Many balloons and aeroplanes up. Gas cylinder carrying continued. 1 OR wounded.

09.07.16 TRENCHES

Quiet day; very little shelling. Cylinder carrying continued. No casualties. 2/Lieuts MURDOCH and STOPFORD joins as reinforcements from 6^th Bn.

10.07.16 TRENCHES

Quiet day. At 10:30pm gas is discharged from B9. Artillery bombardment commences also a smoke barrage. An infantry raid is attempted after discharge of gas consisting of 2 parties of 20 each under 4 officers [two to each party]. Captain E R DONNER, Officer i/c raid, Captain M L CONE 2^nd in command. Officer in charge LEFT raiding column 2/Lieut H A SLADE and 2/Lieut H A CLANAHAN. RIGHT column 2/Lieut J R BLYTH and 2/Lieut B WALLIS. Raiding party fails to enter German trenches owing to failure of gas to affect the enemy.

Failure attributed to 1) carelessness in conversations over the telephone which the enemy had intercepted on his listening apparatus; 2) the premature discharge of gas on RIGHT Brigade front through not synchronising watches or other causes; 3) accurate shooting of enemy artillery which put several cylinders out of action; 4) insufficient frontage over which gas was discharged. Most of the wounded and dead are brought back from the German wire.

Total casualties: 2/Lieut J R BLYTH missing believed killed; 2/Lieut B WALLIS dangerously wounded and died of wounds at Casualty Clearing Station on 11^th inst; 2/Lieut H A CLANAHAN wounded; 5 OR died of wounds or killed; 34 OR wounded; 5 OR missing.

2/Lieut CLANAHAN, Cpl OWEN, Cpl MARSH, A/Cpl NORTON, Rfn BODOW and Rfn OUZMAN are recommended for conspicuous bravery in bringing in and tending to the wounded. Enemy shelling during these operations considerable.

11.07.16 TRENCHES

Corporal HUBERT ex Transport Sergeant murders Sergeant WHITFIELD, present Transport Sergeant, and A/Corporal FOX at the Transport lines at 4:20am and then commits suicide.

Reciprocal shelling during the day. 11^th Bn RB relieved by 10^th Bn RB in the trenches. Bn proceeds to CANAL BANK I1b Sheet 28. 6 OR wounded. 25 OR join as reinforcements.

12.07.16 CANAL BANK

Sergeant J BROOKER is awarded the Military Medal for rescuing a wounded Sergeant of 59^th MG Coy under shellfire on 17^th June at ST JEAN. Working party to take out empty gas cylinders and work on CANAL dug-outs under RE.

13.07.16 CANAL BANK

Working party to take out empty gas cylinders and work on CANAL dug-outs under RE.

14 - 15.07.16 POPERINGHE

Relieved by 2^nd Bn Durham Light Infantry on CANAL BANK 11:30pm and proceed to H12Central Sheet 28 to entrain at 1am on 15^th. Detrain at Level Crossing in A20 Sheet 28 and march to ‘J’ Camp [A8a] Sheet 28. [Original scheme was that the Bn should go to POPERINGHE; this was cancelled owing to the town being heavily shelled about this time].

3:50pm WORMHOUDT

Bn entrains on light railway at G.1.b.0.9 Sheet 28 and trains to WORMHOUDT. Transport goes by road to WORMHOUDT starting from G4c at 11am. Arrive at WORMHOUDT and find billets allotted to us occupied by 9^th Bn Norfolk Regt VI Div. Bn billeted on roads N and E of WORMHOUDT.

16.07.16 WORMHOUDT

Move into billets on CASSEL Road at noon after the Norfolks have marched off. Billets in Square C23a and C17c Sheet 27.

17.07.16 WORMHOUDT

Coy training. Bn under orders to march to BOLLEZEELE training area.

18.07.16 WORMHOUDT

Move to BOLLEZEELE cancelled. Coy training.

19.07.16 PLOEGSTEERT

8pm Bn embusses at WORMHOUDT is taken into 5^th Corps area, route HERZEELE – WINNEZEELE – CAESTRE – MÉTEREN – BAILLEUL – ROMANY and proceed to Camp in PLOEGSTEERT WOOD known as RED LODGE [T18d central Sheet 28] where we relieve 9^th East Surreys [24^th Div]. Transport moves by road starting 12 noon.

20.07.16 TRENCHES

Relieve 8^th West Kent in trenches. Front line from U.1.b.1.3 to U.2.c.1.4 [sheet 28]. 2 Coys, 3 platoons U.1.c.1.6 OSBORNE Ft, 1 Coy LA PLUS DOUVE Fm, T12c central, 1 platoon FLETCHER’S FIELD T.18.a.8.8. Bn HQ T.6.c.7.0.

21.07.16 TRENCHES

Enemy in this part of the line is exceptionally quiet. Activity confined to MG fire at night. 1 OR wounded. Corporal MARSH and A/Corporal NORTON awarded Military Medal [see 10.07.16].

22.07.16 TRENCHES

Work on maintenance of trenches. Enemy quiet. Casualties 1 OR killed; 2 OR missing, believed to have been killed or wounded on patrol at U.2.c.0.8. 2/Lieut J M WEST joins as reinforcement. ANNIVERSARY OF BNS ARRIVAL IN FRANCE.

23.07.16 TRENCHES

Relieved by two Bns of the ULSTER Division from the SOMME, viz, 9^th Royal Irish Fusiliers and 12^th Bn Royal Irish Rifles.

24.07.16 LOCRE

After relief proceed to ROMANY and embus. Bn taken via BAILLEUL and LOCRE to WAKEFIELD HUTS M.29.c.6.7 Sheet 28. March to HOPOUTRE JUNCTION via WESTOUTRE starting at 10pm and entrain – whole Bn and Transport.

25.07.16 NEUVILLETTE

Detrain at FRÉVENT [map of France LENS 11 Square D3] 7:45am and march to NEUVILLETTE where the Bn is billeted.

26.07.16 NEUVILLETTE and AUTHIE

Receive orders to move to AUTHIE at once. Bn marches via DOULLENS – AUTHIEULE – AMPLIER – ORVILLE – SARTON – THIÉVRES – AUTHIE and to Camp in BOIS DU WARNIMONT [i24 a and b Sheet 57D].

27.07.16 AUTHIE

Reconnoitre positions which we are to take over tomorrow and send advanced party to take over in bivouacs about J.23.b.10.1½ [sheet 57D].

28.07.16 AUTHIE

Bn moves to bivouacs in J.23.a.9.6. Transport to J.7.b.7.7 near COUIN. Settled in bivouacs about noon.

29.07.16 AUTHIE

Coy training and working party of 400 under 10^th Bn RB for night work. 1 OR wounded.

30.07.16 AUTHIE

Working party of 400 as on 29.07.16. Church Parade 2:30pm. Baths in SAILLY.

31.07.16 AUTHIE

Working party of 400 as on 29.07.16.

01 - 04.08.16 SAILLY-AU-BOIS

Working parties of 200 under 10^th Bn RB.

05.08.16 HEBUTERNE TRENCHES

Relieve 10^th Bn RB in trenches in front of SERRE. Front line runs from K.17.c.3.3 to K.23.d.3.3 [HEBUTERNE 1:1,000]. Other trenches occupied KNOX, JONES, DOMINIQUE, CLISSOLD [main line of defence] BRISSOUX, CABER [second line] DUGUESLIN, VAUBAN, TROSSACKS [3^rd line] Bn HQ. K.22.c.3.3 in VERCINGETORIX. Relief completed by 10am. Work on deepening communication trenches and reclaiming the front line system. Also under RE on water tanks in trenches, trench railway etc. Enemy fairly quiet but there is a tendency for trench mortars to worry us.

06.08.16 HEBUTERNE TRENCHES

Work carried on as above.

07.08.16 HEBUTERNE TRENCHES

Work carried on as above. ??E bombard enemy trenches with success.

08.08.16 HEBUTERNE TRENCHES

Work carried on as above. Enemy trenches bombarded in the morning.

09.08.16 HEBUTERNE TRENCHES

Work carried on as above. Two front Coys are relieved by two rear Coys.

10.08.16 HEBUTERNE TRENCHES

Work on trenches continued. Enemy quiet.

11.08.16 HEBUTERNE TRENCHES

Work on trenches continued. Front line heavily shelled.

12.08.16 HEBUTERNE TRENCHES

Work on trenches continued. Listeners overhear German relief arrangement on the telephone, roads in rear are consequently shelled by our artillery from 10pm – 1am.

13.08.16 SAILLY-AU-BOIS

No working parties. Relieved by 10^th Bn RB in the trenches and return to bivouacs J.23.a.9.6 Sheet 57D NE.

14.08.16 SAILLY-AU-BOIS

Listeners purport to overhear a plan by Germans to attack our trenches. The Bn bivouacs in VERCINGETORIX trench, ie road from HEBUTERNE to RED COTTAGE, all 11^th Bn RB Lewis guns reinforce 10^th Bn RB front line. The night turns out to be the quietest known.

15.08.16 SAILLY-AU-BOIS

Return to Camp J.23.a.9.6.

16.08.16 AUTHIE

We are relieved by 1^st Bn Coldstream Guards and proceed to a Camp in WARNIMONT WOOD just EAST of AUTHIE.

17.08.16 AUTHIE

Transport moves from COUIN [J8a] to WARNIMONT WOOD.

18.08.16 BEAUVAL

59^th Bde group moves to BEAUVAL [G21 and G22 Sheet 57D] through AUTHIE, SARTON, TERRAMESNIL.

19.08.16 BEAUVAL

Transport moves off by road to VILLERS BOCAGE.

20.08.16 BEAUVAL

11^th Bn RB entrains at CANDAS Station WEST of BEAUVAL at 7:30am. Transport moves from VILLERS BOCAGE to MEAULTE. Infantry and LG handcarts detrain at MERICOURT J.4.a.9.1 ALBERT] and march to MEAULTE [E17central].

21.08.16 ALBERT

59^th Bde moves to a Camp known as the CITADEL F21b ALBERT.

22.08.16 ALBERT

11^th Bn RB move into trenches round LA BRIQUETERIE. March through CARNOY, MONTAUBAN and relieve Royal West Kent Regt [24^th Div 72^nd Bde].

23.08.16 GUILLEMONT TRENCHES

11^th Bn KRRC are attacked in front of GUILLEMONT. 3 Coys are sent up in support about 10pm.

24.08.16 GUILLEMONT TRENCHES

9pm 11^th Bn KRRC are again attacked. We relieve them in the trenches in front of GUILLEMONT from GUILLEMONT Station to S.30.b.3.5. Other trenches KNOT, PIONEER, SHERWOOD, EDWARDS, FAGAN. HQ in BRIGHTON AVE S.30.b.1.9. Proposed attack on GUILLEMONT cancelled.

25.08.16 GUILLEMONT TRENCHES

9:15pm We are attacked about S.24.d.9.4. Colonel HARINGTON, 2/Lieuts DAVENPORT and ESDAILE GREEN wounded also many other casualties. The attack is repulsed.

26.08.16 GUILLEMONT TRENCHES

61^st Bde take over all our front line except PIONEER trench now known as SAPPER trench. Major COTTON, 10^th Bn RB, take over command of the Bn. Bombardment by the heavies.

27.08.16 GUILLEMONT TRENCHES

Bombardment by the heavies. Owing to bad weather since 25^th sickness very prevalent in the Bn.

28.08.16 GUILLEMONT TRENCHES

11^th Bn RB relieved by 10^th Bn KRRC in the front trenches. Bn returns after work to trenches round IRISH ALLEY in A5b [LONGUEVAL 1:10,000] known as LANCASTER trench, DAWSON, LIDDLE, LIVERPOOL.

29.08.16 GUILLEMONT TRENCHES

Attack on GUILLEMONT due to come off on 31.08.16 postponed.

30.08.16 GUILLEMONT TRENCHES

Heavy shelling of our trenches and IRISH ALLEY.

31.08.16 GUILLEMONT TRENCHES

Shelled with gas and tear shells also some HE and shrapnel. Relieved by 12^th Bn King’s Liverpool [61^st Bde] and proceed to Old British line about A8c ALBERT Sheet. Relief completed about 7pm.

Battle casualties during the month:

03.08.16 Wounded 3 OR

05.08.16 Died of wounds 1 OR

08.08.16 Wounded 2 OR

09.08.16 Wounded 2 OR

11.08.16 Wounded 1 OR

Killed 1 OR

13.08.16 Wounded 1 OR

23.08.16 Wounded 4 OR

24.08.16 Wounded 15 OR

25.08.16 Wounded 1 OR

26.08.16 Wounded 10 OR

Killed 4 OR

??.08.16 Wounded 27 OR

27.08.16 Killed 3 OR

Wounded 12 OR

2/Lt BONNER wounded

28.08.16 Wounded 6 OR

Killed 3 OR

29.08.16 Killed 3 OR

Wounded 2 OR

30.08.16 Killed 3 OR

Wounded 14 OR

31.08.16 Wounded 3 OR

01.09.16 GUILLEMONT

Preparations for attack. Our plans are altered owing to the addition of the 6^th Oxford and Bucks to the Brigade. Owing to the weakness of the 10^th and 11^th Bn RB we conform to the 10^th Bns plan of attack to start from the front line trenches, LAMB and EDWARD trenches, the 11^th Bn RB being allotted the RIGHT sector.

02.09.16 GUILLEMONT

Final preparations. The Bn moves up to their assembly trenches at 8pm. The night is particularly quiet.

03.09.16 GUILLEMONT

Fine morning. Ground dried up considerably. Intense bombardment of our guns starts at 12 noon; the Bn start attacking at 12:03pm [ref LONGUEVAL map Sheet 57C SW 3].

1^st Bn 1^st Bde objective SUNKEN Road T.19.c.½.1½ to S.30.b.7.1

1^st Div 2^nd Bde objective SUNKEN Road T.19.c.1½.1½ to T.25.a.3.1

3^rd Bde objective T.19.c.6.3 to T.25.a.9½.4½ [about]

2^nd Bn 4^th Bde objective ] ROAD T.19.c.9½.3½ to T.25.b.1.3

2^nd Div objective ]

3^rd Bn 5^th Bde objective ] T.20.d.6.6 to T.26.b.8.8½

3^rd Div objective ]

The 1^st Bde objective was taken by the 2 assaulting Coys [A Coy under Captain DONNER and B Coy under 2/Lieut HEPBURN] a few minutes after ZERO [12 noon]. There was considerable opposition, more especially from the trench running parallel to and EAST of the SUNKEN Road and many casualties occurred from oblique MG fire coming apparently from the trench which joins the 1^st and 2^nd SUNKEN Roads cutting the first named trench at right angles. In addition to the MG, the trench which apparently contained it was full of dead Germans. It was this first assault that Captain DONNER and 2/Lieut HEPBURN were killed.

The 2^nd objective also caused some trouble. Most of the Germans there were killed, very few prisoners being taken, either at the first or second objective. [Though the Oxford and Bucks were allotted the 2^nd Bde objective, some of the 11^th Bn RB attacked with them. This was mainly due to the fact that the four officers who accompanied the two assaulting Coys had become casualties between the two SUNKEN Roads and also many of the NCOs].

The 3^rd objective was more easily gained though the assaulting Coys, who had now been reinforced by the supports, came under heavy MG fire from the RIGHT.

At the 4^th objective there was not much hand to hand fighting as the enemy had become thoroughly demoralised and surrendered in considerable numbers. However we incurred some losses both by MG fire and shells.

Having reached the 4^th objective it became apparent that the Bn was rather too much to the RIGHT of the position allotted to it but when the line advanced 2 hours after ZERO this was remedied and, on reaching the GINCHY-WEDGE WOOD Road, the 11^th Bn RB, though mixed with other troops, was in its right place.

The Bn, on its way to, and on arrival at the SUNKEN Road, came under heavy MG fire from both flanks. Many Germans were found in dug-outs and either killed or taken prisoner. Battle patrols were immediately pushed out as it was clear that no further advance on the final objective could be made until the 5^th Division had pushed on and cleared the ridge running SW of LEUZE WOOD of the many Germans that could be seen upon it. To assist the 5^th Division, Lewis gun and rifle fire was opened on the ridge and many of the enemy were seen to fall. It should be stated that small parties of Germans were met at intervals [in shell holes] between the various objectives and summarily dealt with.

Consolidation on the position gained was immediately begun at 2:30pm and continued throughout the night.

04.09.16 GUILLEMONT

The night itself was uneventful but during the following day considerable shelling on the consolidated line caused a good many casualties. The shelling increased in intensity during the evening of the 4^th when the 5^th Division attacked and gained the outskirts of LEUZE WOOD immediately to our front.

05.09.16 CARNOY

The Bn was relieved at 6:30am by the 7^th Inniskilling without casualties. [it is worth noting that no wire was encountered during the whole of the operations]. The Bn came back to Camp at MINDEN POST, CARNOY. The men were in excellent spirits and well pleased with their success.

06.09.16 BOIS DES TAILLES

We move into Camp at the BOIS DES TAILLES.

07.09.16 BOIS DES TAILLES

A day chiefly devoted to rest. Commanding Officer’s inspection of the Bn at 11am.

08.09.16 BOIS DES TAILLES

Bn still resting. We move to CORBIE and arrive there at 8:30pm and settle down into quite good billets.

[MBrockway]

IIRC, there's another topic here on the forum about the attack on Les Boeufs with some extra detail and trench maps from Andy .

Some legwork with the search tool should throw it up.

There's also quite a bit of material on the capture of GUILLEMONT earlier in the month, which will definitely be of interest to you,

... and here are some threads on the Sep 1915 attack towards FROMELLES, which was 20th (Light) Division's first major engagement (supporting the Bareilly Division, with only 12/RB actually leaving the firing line) ...

Loos,25th September 1915, attack towards Fromelles by Bareilly Division

Action at Bois Grenier and Pietre 1915

Battle of Loos

Cheers,

Mark

[algy]

Diane, Thank you that is absolutely brilliant!, it's great when you have just joined a forum and someone like yourself and Mark responds and helps so quickly.

regards and Best Wishes '

Algy.

[MBrockway]

Crikey Diane - that's super quick typing!

Alan - I recommend Inglefield: it's the clearest route to getting a picture of what was going on. The war diaries are good for detail (sometimes!) but often you do not get the wider tactical viewpoint that explains why a unit was tasked. It's available in a recent Naval & Military press reprint, or you may get a used copy through the usual channels.

Cheers,

Mark

[Bardess]

Alan

The War Diary is available online at The National Archives here for GBP3.36

[MBrockway]

Here are some of the GUILLEMONT topics to fast-track you ...

11 Bn Rifle Brigade, Guillemont

11(S) Bn Rifle Brigade at Guillemont 3 Sept 1916

Google StreetView - Guillemont Road Cemetery looking East towards Guillemont

Also Diane has posted her transcription of the 11/KRRC war diary for the first part of the Somme 1916 here:

11th Bn KRRC from 27 June to 31 August 1916

As a sister battalion in the same brigade, 11/KRRC's activities are likely to be illuminating for what 11/RB were doing.

Welcome to the 'Rifles Family' here on the Forum. Both Diane's great uncle (11/KRRC) and my grandfather (12/KRRC) served in 20th Divn - it's a pleasure to help a descendant of another Chosen Man.

Cheers,

Mark

Alan

The War Diary is available online at The National Archives here for GBP3.36

Yes!

Inglefield's good, but you will definitely need the war diary too!

Cheers,

Mark

[algy]

Diane, I have purchased the documents from theNational Archive as you say for £3.36p in 4x pdf files totally approx 122 mb, thanks for all your help, and you also Mark for the links, this lot will keep me from under my wifes feet for a while and as I'm retired that takes some doing!

#

[Bardess]

Money well spent [and the first of many?]

[MBrockway]

Diane, I have purchased the documents from theNational Archive as you say for £3.36p in 4x pdf files totally approx 122 mb, thanks for all your help, and you also Mark for the links, this lot will keep me from under my wifes feet for a while and as I'm retired that takes some doing!

#

Alan - be aware that the NA's digitisation is not 100%. You may find casualty reports, Intelligence Summaries, maps, brigade/battalion orders and other appendices have not always been digitised.

At some stage you will want to get down to Kew in person and check the actual paper records to make sure you have everything.

Cheers,

Mark

[algy]

Mark, thanks for the info, unfortunately I am too far away as I live in cheshire, not to worry! what I have appears to be adequate for my needs.

[Michael Johnson]

Bardess,

 

Thanks from me as well.  I've just managed to re-unite the pair to S-15211 Pte. E.G. Hoare, 11th Bn. The Rifle Brigade with his plaque, which has been in my collection for a good number of years.  This post has saved me a lot of research.

 

Michael

 

 

[Bardess]

 

[MBrockway]

Good news Michael - always nice to hear of medals etc. being re-united.

Mark

 

[Guest]

Hello all.

Just a note to thank you for this site.

My great great uncle was killed on 10th July 1916 and looking at the diary entries higher up the thread, I think it may have been on a raiding party.

 

His name was James Carter

 

I hope to find more information if possible

 

Many thanks

 

Paul Barker

[Guest]

My great grandad was named Henry Charles colmer

resided In london

and fought alongside Samuel colmer who died at his side 

both were 11th battalion 

would so be interested to find out anything on the both

[Andrew Heppell]

On 01/04/2018 at 22:20, Michael Johnson said:

Bardess,

 

Thanks from me as well.  I've just managed to re-unite the pair to S-15211 Pte. E.G. Hoare, 11th Bn. The Rifle Brigade with his plaque, which has been in my collection for a good number of years.  This post has saved me a lot of research.

 

Michael

 

 

Hi Michael, I was doing some research for my mother in law..Edward G Hoare was the son of her Grandmother's brother, Charlie.  I am trying to find some more information about him for the family tree. Andrew