3rd Bn Coldstream Guards

[mattn]

Evening all - first post, so be gentle!!

Really interesting forum with a wealth of knowledge that I came across earlier this year, which has prompted me to research my granddad, who was in the Coldstream Guards. I’m just after a bit of reassurance I’m on the right track please!

From the very helpful Coldstream Guards Association I found out that Pte John Walter Neale 20436 was posted to 5Bn Caterham on 25/11/16, almost a year after attestation (10/12/15). He was then posted to 3Bn on 08/07/17

The military history sheet states that he received a Shell wound in left arm on 10/10/17, a GS finger wound on 12/4/18 and was Gassed in field on 18/9/18. From checking the war diary (ref WO 95/1215), I think the shell wound was at fighting around Broembeke to Houthlest Forest area.

I'm less sure that the gassing may have been in Havrincourt as the diary I've downloaded doesn't go that late? Can anyone help me with trying to link the injuries to the area of fighting please and what books or records might tell me more about those incidents.

The gassing is confusing me as on the statement of services it shows him as posted to Z Bn (which I thought was the army reserve) on 31/8/18. He was demobbed on 15/2/19, where it states he was transfered to Class Z army reserve on demob. Can anyone tell me what the posting meant on 31/8/18 please?

I'd also be interested on more information on what went on at Caterham

thank you in advance

Matt Neale

[Coldstreamer]

sure its a Z and not a 2 ?

the 2nd Btn notes several men gassed on this date

[mattn]

Hello Coldstreamer

Yes, you're correct it is a 2.

I've found the reference in the war diary to the gassing. Thank you.

Has the WD for 3Bn been digitised covering the period Feb - Sept 1918?

My dad has said he remembers granddad talking one Christmas about when he was gassed - he was returned to hospital in Birmingham for a while and then went back out. Any advice on how I might find out when he was returned to duty? He also now remembers him saying that when he got his finger wound, 12/4/18, he ended up in a trench with a German. He put his finger over the end of the barrel of the German's rifle, and then the German fired! Said they spent another hour or so together and then went their own ways...

Thank you for your reply - it's all helping me build up the picture.

[Coldstreamer]

returned to duty and/or date returned to France would be on the service papers if any where - they differ hugely so may not tell you on the ones for your relative

[mattn]

Thank you