NeilEvans Posted 8 April , 2013 Share Posted 8 April , 2013 Hi, can some please tell me where abouts of the 1st/6th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment, and what they were doing on April 9th 1915. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 8 April , 2013 Share Posted 8 April , 2013 Neil The battalion were in trenches at Wulverghem. The war diary records "Situation quiet, enemy placed 3 shells 300 yds north of X dugout." On this day Private Sydney Samual Beddows 3440 KIA Private Wilfred Ray Jones 3021 KIA aged 29 Private Henry Shinton 3166 KIA aged 21 Private William Steen Whittle 2834 KIA aged 28 Regards Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilEvans Posted 8 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 8 April , 2013 Cheers Doug, Wilfred Ray Jones, i'm interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawley Jockey Posted 8 April , 2013 Share Posted 8 April , 2013 Cheers Doug, Wilfred Ray Jones, i'm interested in. Blimey Neil, you'll be going to the South Staffs Pals meetings next, showing an interest in a South Staffs soldier..... from Shropshire by any chance ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilEvans Posted 8 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 8 April , 2013 haha......Madeley man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdmorris120 Posted 30 August , 2013 Share Posted 30 August , 2013 Hi, I am looking to find out what happened in the last few months of my gt grandfathers life who served in 1/6th bn South staffs regiment. He died of Gas poisoning in Carmiers in May 1918 could anyone tell me where I could find out where the regiment was from early part of that year ? Also are there are war diaries online ? Many thanks Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 30 August , 2013 Share Posted 30 August , 2013 Julie Who are we talking about ?? What date was he killed etc. Regards, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdmorris120 Posted 30 August , 2013 Share Posted 30 August , 2013 Hello Graeme, His name was Alfred Withers private 18089 I have just ordered his will on the new site. He is buried in Etaples cemetery. I was keen to find out what/where the battalion fought around the time of his death. I know he was hospitalised after the gas attack but unsure of how long. He died in May 1918. Unfortunately I haven't been able to locate his records I have been told that a lot of them were destroyed in a fire ? Many thanks Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 30 August , 2013 Share Posted 30 August , 2013 Julie The War Diary details the gas attack On Saturday 18 May 1918 the battalion relieved the 5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in trenches near Verquin in the Loisne sector and whilst in occupation suffered severe casualties to a gas bombardment. The War Diary records, "18 May 1918 - Gorre. Battalion relieved the 5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in the right sub-section right brigade. 19 May 1918 - At 2am Battalion Headquarters was bombarded with gas shells. No casualties occurred. 20 May 1918 - Quiet day. 21 May 1918 - The enemy put over a terrific bombardment of gas shells between 11pm 20th to about 4am 21st the number of shell estimated exceeded 10,000 including 500 8”. Owing to the great concentration we suffered heavy casualties ie. 6 officers and 134 other ranks of “D” and “A” Companies. 22 May 1918 - Owing to the depleted condition of the brigade it was withdrawn on the 22 inst. The battalion was relieved by the 1/4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment and went into rest billets at Verquin and Vaudricourt Wood. 23 May 1918 - Bathing and cleaning up. All clothing threshed. 24 May 1918 - In reserve.” Born and resided in West Brom, enlisted in Wednesbury. Regards, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdmorris120 Posted 30 August , 2013 Share Posted 30 August , 2013 Thanks for the information Graeme it is really interesting to read. Do you know if there are details of a gas attack on the regiment around April time ? In the newspaper it stated he was in a hospital and died on 15th May. Are the diaries online ? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 31 August , 2013 Share Posted 31 August , 2013 Drat, never noticed the date. Here is the WD the online diaries are here http://blackcountry-territorials.org/1_6_war_diary.html but they only go up to 1917, Regards, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdmorris120 Posted 1 September , 2013 Share Posted 1 September , 2013 Thank you so much Graeme the copies are brilliant ! I really appreciate your help When I researched the local newspapers for his death announcement I found something very interesting. It said his wife was taken to his bedside in France to be with him during his final days. I have spoken to a few people and have learnt that this was very unusual especially as he was a private and I know the family wasn't well off. Do you know if this was a regular occurrence ? I would be grateful if you or anyone knows if there are any other avenues I could research into this ? Regards Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 1 September , 2013 Share Posted 1 September , 2013 Hi Julie, I would not say it was a regular occurrence but it did happen. Off hand I can recall 2 times this happened when researching Walsall RoH, one was an officer and the other a ranker. No other details were published in the papers other than that they were at the bedside when the men died and present at the funeral afterwards. Regards, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orvejam Posted 13 October , 2013 Share Posted 13 October , 2013 Drat, never noticed the date. Here is the WD walsall po 324.jpg walsall po 325.jpg walsall po 326.jpg the online diaries are here http://blackcountry-territorials.org/1_6_war_diary.html but they only go up to 1917, Regards, Graeme Hi Graeme, I read your post with great interest. My Great Uncle Harry Corns from Albrighton Nr Wolverhamption was gassed on 2nd May. He was brought back to England but had a slow lingering death resulting from the gas. He finally died on 26/1/1920! Is there any chance that you sould post the diary from mid April up to the start of May just so I can see what he was up to prior to being gassed. Kind regards Jim Orves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 14 October , 2013 Share Posted 14 October , 2013 Morning Jim Can you just confirm his battalion etc and the years you are looking for, Regards, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orvejam Posted 8 November , 2013 Share Posted 8 November , 2013 Hi Graeme, Sorry for the delay in responding. He was in the 6th Battalion South Staffs regimental number 240431. His medical records show that he was gassed on 2/5/1918 location I think was La Bassie. I have got some of the Battalion records but none in 1918 other than those you posted. Kind regards Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 9 November , 2013 Share Posted 9 November , 2013 Hi Jim I'm a bit confused. You say you wanted April and May 1918, but those are the diaries I have posted above. Are you after any other specific dates ?? Regards, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orvejam Posted 10 November , 2013 Share Posted 10 November , 2013 Hi Graeme, Sorry, yes my post was confusing. I have been building a timeline from his personal forms and battalion records. I have the latter up to 31/10/1915 and the records you posted i.e. 1/4/1918 to 6/5/1918 inclusive. He was gassed on 2/5/1918 and then was evacuated back to England. I would really like any records you might have prior to 1/4/1918. Kind regards Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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