Jump to content
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

2nd Lieut John Thomas Porter KOYLI


RaySearching

Recommended Posts

Afternoon

Having on a couple of previous occasions over the last couple of years searched for John Thomas Porter a local memorial man

I could not positively pin him down as there was several John Thomas Porter’s KIA who fitted, but who’s details did not match the area

I finally had a breakthrough

978004417_4c28451a17_b.jpg

2nd Lieut JOHN THOMAS PORTER

9th Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry attached to 2/4 Battalion (Previously Pte 19768 )

John was killed in action aged 21 on the 25th August 1918

He was the son of Levi a pig iron weighman and Sarah Ann Porter and the husband of Hilda Porter

His widows address is given as Uckerby Grange Scorton on his MIC

John can be found on the 1911 census residing with his parents and siblings at 25 Charles Street North Ormesby aged 14

employed as a blast furnace laboratory assistant

Born North Ormesby

H.A.C. CEMETERY ECOUST-ST MEIN

His Mic

9733691193_8ee21233cd_c.jpg

As can be found on his MIC he was previously Pte 19768 York(s)? R

The abbreviation York(s)? R could be an abbreviation for Yorks (Yorkshire Light Infantry) or Yorks R ( Yorkshire Regiment “the Green Howards”) or even an abbreviation for York and Lancs

As can be seen on his MIC he was commissioned on the 1/8/17 having searched the London Gazette

On and around this date with variations put in the search fields looking for his commission entry hoping it would show his previous regiment and having looked at page after page of Porters I have drawn a blank

Opinions or confirmation of his previous Regiment or if any expert can find his commission entry in the Gazette it would be appreciated

I also looked on the N/A hoping to download the war diaries for the 2/4th Battalion Yorkshire Light Infantry as officers are often mentioned in the diaries, unfortunately they have not yet been digitalised and are not available to download (only available at Kew)

Any Information on 2nd Lieut J T Porter or where the 2/4th KOYLI Battalion were in August 1918

Or what actions they were involved in would also be appreciated

Regards Ray

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Ray,

According to the KOYLI history the 2/4th Bn were involved in the Battle of Bapaume on 25th August, 1918.

On the morning of 25/8/18: "The 2/4th Bn KOYLI were in brigade reserve west of Ervillers. An attack was ordered to commence on the morning of the 25th at 9 a.m.----------

Meanwhile the 2/4th Y & L., the left battalion of the brigade, had started to attack alone at the time originally arranged, 9 a.m. It met with severe opposition, especially from machine-guns posted on the high ground to the south-east.-----The 2/4th KOYLI was ordered up from behind Ervillers to support the Y & L. Three companies, 'A', 'B' and 'C' moved up into the position between Mory and Mory Copse, from which the 2/4th Y & L had set out, and the fourth was in support. The advance of the battalion was made by Lt.Col.Chaytor in widely extended artillery formation, as it was broad daylight and very open country."

It seems that the battalion suffered from accurate enemy shell-fire in their exposed position.

Casualties to the battalion over the period 25th to 27th August amounted to 3 officers killed, 6 officers wounded and 1 officer gassed, casualties amongst other ranks amounted to 199.

Sec Lt J.T.Porter is reported as having been killed in action on 25th August, 1918. He is not mentioned other than this in the history.

Robert

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Robert

Thanks once again for the look up and also for the info on the battalions actions on the 25th August 1917 you have kindly supplied it was most appreciated

Looking at his Mic again, there is a asterisk against the 15 star and also against the first regiment on the Mic (York(s)? R) and not against the KOYLI

As medals are generally impressed with the first unit a soldier served with in France

This leads me to conclude that he may have initially have served with the Yorkshire Regiment before being transferred to the KOYLI prior to or after receiving his commission

The Yorkshire regiment would fit with the locality although I presume the medal roll or his officers service papers would confirm this

Harry

Thanks for the London Gazette look up it also was most appreciated

sometimes I find the Gazette a pain to search, I just go round and round in circles getting nowhere

Regards Ray

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Robert

Thanks once again for the look up and also for the info on the battalions actions on the 25th August 1917 you have kindly supplied it was most appreciated

Looking at his Mic again, there is a asterisk against the 15 star and also against the first regiment on the Mic (York(s)? R) and not against the KOYLI

As medals are generally impressed with the first unit a soldier served with in France

This leads me to conclude that he may have initially have served with the Yorkshire Regiment before being transferred to the KOYLI prior to or after receiving his commission

The Yorkshire regiment would fit with the locality although I presume the medal roll or his officers service papers would confirm this

Harry

Thanks for the London Gazette look up it also was most appreciated

sometimes I find the Gazette a pain to search, I just go round and round in circles getting nowhere

Regards Ray

Hi Ray,

Yes, he served with the Green Howards as a Pte; Cpl has been crossed out for some reason? So his 1914/15 Star will be impressed as 19768 Pte J.T.Porter, Yorks. R. and his BWM and VM will be impressed 2/Lt J.T.Porter (with no regiment shown).

Regards, Robert

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...