Sussex man in Sherwood Foresters

[fjwiltshire]

You guys are going to be busy this year as everyone researches their war memorial. My search is the village of Blackham, east Sussex. From Fromelles to Coronel they served. Francis Thomas Childs, Private, 1st/5th bt, no.202222. Died 1st July 1917 in an assault somewhere near Lens? 137 Foresters died that day, 2nd Bt and 1/5th. 2nd Bt further north because they are remembered Loos memorial, 1/5th on Arras memorial. Two questions...what action were these battalions engaged in? Why was a man born, married and living in Kent fighting with the Foresters? Personal interest, I lived 30 years in Beeston, Forest fan for ever.

[Chris_Baker]

The war diary of the 1/5th Battalion can be downloaded from the National Archives website for the princely sum of £3.36.

As to how he came to be serving with the regiment, have a read of http://1914-1918.net...local-regiment/

[Andrew Hesketh]

Will try to get back to you later after a root around.

U Reds!

[Andrew Hesketh]

Will try to get back to you later after a root around.

U Reds!

[Andrew Hesketh]

Hi Frank,

Do you have Ancestry access? His service record exists but doesn't tell you much.

In brief, from this and extra bits I can add:

27 year old farm labourer. Conscripted April 1916. Expressed a preference for the Sussex Reg't. Lived Chiddingstone, Kent. However he was called up to the Sherwood Foresters 3/5th Bn 10 April 1916 in Derby. This answers your 'why' query - he had no choice. Originally numbered as Private 5460. To France 18/19 July 1916. 31 July 1916 posted to the 8th Entrenching Battalion. There is some more info on his record after this date but too faint to read.

The renumbering from 5460 to 202222 took place in the Spring of 1917 and was part of an exercise carried out throughout the territorial force.

I have the war diary for 1 July 1917. If you PM me an email I will forward it to you.

COYR

[fjwiltshire]

Thanks for the War Diary Andy. It will take someone with my experience several readings to get an accurate picture of events. I must join Ancestry now as there are many names left on the memorial and I shouldn't depend on forum members' kind generosity to get the job done. Thanks for your time and efforts, and let's hope our team does well this year. Regards, Frank

[Black Sapper]

Frank - there's a 14 day free trial on Ancestry.com at the moment I think?

[Andrew Hesketh]

No problem Frank. Let me know if I can help in future.