4th (Denbighshire) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers WW1

[jgbass]

Hi - I'm looking for information about the 4th (Denbighshire) Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and in particular about Lt. Robert Owen Knowles MD, RAMC, TF who was attached to the batallion on 14/10/1916. Most of the RAMC records at The National Archives were destroyed by fire. We have a photograph of RO Knowles MD, who specialised in tropical medicine and I think was a surgeon, in uniform wearing a pith helmet so he must have served outside of Europe, possibly the Middle East. Does anybody know the movements of this battalion from October 1916? We have not been able to find RO Knowle's (1885-1941) army number or any information about his service record. He does not appear to have a medal card which seems strange, although I understand that medals had to be applied for. Certainly, there are no medals in the family.

Thank you.

[barkalotloudly]

I have the battalion history of this unit somewhere and will have a look for you

[widavies]

Hi

Just a quick quote from a website on the 4th Btn RWF

Although they had no obligation to do so, such was the enthusiasm of the “Terriers” for the war in its early days that the majority signed up for overseas service. The 4th (Denbighshire) Battalion (TF) was one of the few Territorial units ready for immediate service overseas at the outbreak of war. It arrived in France on 5th November 1914 and, assigned to 1st Division it spent the winter in trenches at Festubert. In May 1915 the 4th took part in the unsuccessful assault on Aubers Ridge and suffered heavily. In September 1915 the Battalion was transferred to 47th (London) Division and a new role as Pioneers, due no doubt to the large number of miners in its ranks. It spent the remainder of the war digging and repairing trenches, assisting in mining operations, constructing roads and tramway lines, often in the Front Line and in hazardous situations.

Regards

Will Davies

[jgbass]

Hi,

My thanks to both barkalotloudy (I would be very grateful if you can check your battalion history), and to Will I Davies for their messages.

Regards

John Bass

[jgbass]

I have now discovered that Robert Owen Knowles MD RAMC, was also attached to the 10th Black Watch and served as a Captain with the international forces in Salonika in late 1917/early 1918, He was then transferred back to France. Can anybody help with any information about the 10th Black Watch and its role in Salonika? As a doctor he presumably worked in field hospitals, does anybody have information relating to those of either the 4th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in France or of the 10th Black Watch in Salonika?

Thanks

John Bass