RaySearching Posted 13 September , 2013 Share Posted 13 September , 2013 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 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 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 More sharing options...
Old Owl Posted 13 September , 2013 Share Posted 13 September , 2013 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 More sharing options...
HarryBrook Posted 14 September , 2013 Share Posted 14 September , 2013 This is the Gazette notification of his commissioning, but unfortunately he is referred to as a cadet, obviously having attended a course of instruction prior to being commissioned. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30270/supplements/9236 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaySearching Posted 14 September , 2013 Author Share Posted 14 September , 2013 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 More sharing options...
Old Owl Posted 14 September , 2013 Share Posted 14 September , 2013 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 More sharing options...
RaySearching Posted 14 September , 2013 Author Share Posted 14 September , 2013 Many thanks for the confirmation regarding the medals Robert Regards Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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