lincolnshire regiment c company 10 platoon 2/4 battalion 59 n m divisi

[esmeralda1961]

Discovered how to upload photos

[esmeralda1961]

I am so pleased with all the information you guys have given me but.... I noticed that one of the medals is a Defense medal from ww2. Can anyone find out what Bert got up to in the second war? My uncle said he was part of the home guard in Stamford. Thank you once again.

[esmeralda1961]

Hi Just matching all this info together (will post when completed) I have an entry

Lost D Sunday May 9 1915 ( not understanding this as Bert only enlisted Dec 1915). What or who is D? His dad died when he was 14 so not D for Dad. Historically - The Battle of Aubers Ridge (9 May 1915)

[esmeralda1961]

Service record of Charles Herbert Bailey

Private B Bailey

5180 (renumbered in 1917 201935)

10 Platoon

C Company

2/4 Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

59 North Midland Division

177 Infantry Brigade

C/O G C

(Information from service record courtesy of members of The Great War Forum)

(Entries from Bert’s war diary)

09-12-1915: Enlisted under the Derby Scheme at the Drill Hall, St Peter's Street, Stamford (the engraving still exists above the HQ's arch onto St Peter's Street)

Finished work January 19 1916. Called up Jan 22 1916.

10-12-1915: Posted to the Army Reserve and returned home to await mobilisation

06-01-1916: Mobilisation papers sent out along with Railway Warrant (Pass) and instructions to be at the Guildhall at Grantham by 11am on 22-1-1916 for mobilisation

22-01-1916: Mobilised for active service

Went to Grantham.

23 January went to Lincoln.

26 January went to Harpenden.

27-01-1916: Posted to the 2/4th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment (177th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division)

27-01-1916: Originally allocated number 20577

27-01-1916: Number revised to 5180

20 April went to Liverpool. Then sailed to Ireland.

21^st.April Landed at Kingston.

22^nd April went to Dublin. Went to Killarney Camp

xx-04-1916: Served with 2/4th Battalion in Ireland

15-06-1916: Guilty of having a rusty bayonet (not very clear) at ....lls Bridge - 3 days confined to barracks

3^rd August began 8 day march to Tralee which was about 108 miles.

4^th Aug camped at Killavullen 14 m

5 Aug camped at Mallow 12m

6 Aug camped at Banteer 15m

7 Aug camped at Killarush 14m

8 Aug camped at Rathmore 18m

9 Aug camped at Killarney 16m

10 Aug camped at Farranfore 14m

11 Aug camped at Tralee 12m Totalling 115m. Pitch camp as soon as we arrive. Revallie every morning at 4 o’clock. March off at 6 o’clock.

11 Aug arrived Tralee . Ballymullen camp

20 Aug went to Queens Town then took boat to Haulbowline with ammunition

6 Sept went to Killarney.

20 Sept leave until 27th

28 Sept went back to Tralee

8 Nov leave for 7 days in Killarney

Christmas at Tralee (1916)

1917

?? Left Northwall for England midnight. Went to Fovant near Salisbury plain. Levave in Salisbury plain

12 Jan went to Codford(?)

28 Jan went back to Fovant

5 Feb Leave from Fovant 6 days

Feb (13^th - not in diary - found this in 59^th History) 1917 Inspected by the King at Fovant (King George V)

　　

23-02-1917: To France via Southampton & Havre

23-02-1917: Eligible for the award of the British War Medal and Victory Medal (Medals would be distributed in the early 1920s)

23 Feb left Fovant for France.

24 Feb Embarked at Southampton for Le Harvre

Left Le Harvre for Fouencamp Sailleure

01-03-1917: Lincolnshire Regiment Number updated to 201935

?? March 2 days march to a rest camp in Bayonvillers

4 March marched to Foucoucourt. Slept in dug outs

5 March Monday went up the line at night to relieve Northumberland Fus releived by Leicesters.

11 March went to Belloy in BRTJ

16 March Friday night big advance

20 March came out of tranches for a rest at St Martins camp

24 March Saturday route march back to Belloy

25 March Sunday route march. Slept in ruined houses.

26 March route march to Tincourt

27 March Tues march at night the up out forts outside the same??

28 March Wednesday advanced to Roisel Village

3 April attack on Fervaque farm about 70 casualties A and D

5 April took Templeux

6 April 1917 Good Friday at Templeux

7 April got 5 days leave. Vaccinated at the same time.

6 May Sunday Jeancourt. Hargicourt quarries

?? Agincourt

15 May relieved by Indians of Hodshon Horse for personal rest at Bocaucourt and Vrainges

27 May marched 15 miles ? Fins wood

13-08-1917: Sick to hospital - admitted to 2/2 North Midland Field Ambulance with P.U.O. (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin, i.e. fever)

14-08-1917: Admitted to No 21 Casualty Clearing Station at Ytres (location per Long, Long trail - Léchelle is the village next door)

15 Aug in Hospital at Lechelle

25-08-1917: Admitted to No 6 General Hospital at Rouen

28-08-1917: Of "C" Company 2/4th battalion Lincolnshire Regiment at time of leaving the battalion

28-08-1917: Evacuated to the UK aboard Hospital Ship "St George"

Aug left Rouen. The saint George got in Hospital at Hursley nr Winchester. Went on sick leave Winchester Hospital

29-08-1917: Admitted to hospital at Hursley Camp with trench fever

29-09-1917: Discharged from "Military Hospital, Hursley Camp" after 31 days treatment

29-09-1917: Granted 10 days home leave until 8-10-1917 Got 10 reported at Saltfleetby

08-10-1917: Posted to 4th Reserve Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment at Saltfleetby for further duty

22 Nov Thursday draft leave in Saltfleetby got back Wednesday 28

30 Nov Friday started for France 3pm got to Peterborough at 6.30

??? Folkestyone at 3. In houses until 7.30 got on the boat at 8.30. 3 hours ride. Very rough paddle boat.

01-12-1917: To France Boulogne marched to rest camp again. In hills for the night. Left camp at 4.30 for station. Wait until 6 for train to Calais. Got there at 6.15 drew rifles as soon as got there.

3 Dec ? days gas drill

4 Dec ? divisional wing. ? Baillel then to saint Omer night then to the Buckingham?

06-12-1917: Posted to 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (25th Brigade in 8th Division)

26 Dec Left there for Ypres 08-12-1917: Joined 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

31 Dec 4 Days reserve at St Jean camp ? In line at Pachendale Ridge shell holes

Got frost bitten foot during the line up.

06-01-1918: Evacuated from 2nd Battalion with trench feet

06-01-1918: Admitted to 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station

09-01-1918: To Boulogne aboard No 7 Ambulance Train (Jan 9 got on 7 Ambulance train to Bologne. Got to general hospital. Left Bologne sat morning 7.30 for the boat. Got to Dover about 2 pm from ? At 2.30 got to Leicester 10..30 /s Northern General Hospital P ward

10-01-1918: Admitted to No 53 General Hospital, Boulogne

12-01-1918: To England aboard Hospital Ship St Denis

12-01-1918: Admitted to ??th Northern General Hospital, ????, suffering from Trench Feet (possibly 4th Northern General Hospital at Lincoln, or 5th Northern General Hospital at Leicester)

14 Jan 1918 Camped out at Willigo Junction ? Got on train for Flamentines. Got to Red Rose camp about 8pm. Rest in Hospital then to Australian CCS (casualty clearing station)

15 Feb went to Burton SPF

21 March 2^nd day of big push Walt (Brother Walter Edward - or Edmund- Bailey) reported missing

17-04-1918: Discharged from hospital after 91 days treatment Went back to Boer Hospital April. Got leave the same day . Arrive home 2.30 Met A.S.(Alice Smith- later to be his wife and eventually my grannie) on Sat. Got £8 sent while at home.

18-04-1918: Granted 21 days home leave

21 April report at Saltfleetby left marked DS

1^st May sent to ? Hall. Left there May 1 for Rippon via Louth Lincoln. Doncaster. Leeds. Harrowgate. Arrived Rippon about 8

08-05-1918: Reported to No 2 Infantry Command Depot at Ripon for massage (i.e. physiotherapy), marching and other exercises designed to toughen the man back to full fitness

27 May ?

21 June went on weekend leave Friday to Tuesday June .

25-06-1918: Overstayed special leave ?? o'clock on 25-06-1918 until 7.45am on 26-6-1918 - admonished by Lt Colonel commanding the battalion and forfeited one days pay

24 July leave were taken in Rippon Yorks

　

16-08-1918: Discharged from the Ripon Command Depot and posted to 4th Reserve Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment at Chapel St Leonards for further duty

16 Aug leave to 28 August Alford lincs

23 Aug Finished

07-09-1918: Returned to France and Flanders via "K" Infantry Base Depot at Calais Friday September 7 1918 left for France 3.30. 30 mins wait at Boston. 30 mins wait at Peterboro. Arrived London at 9.30 ? Until 6.30 in the morn. Left Charing Cross at ?.30. Arrived Dover at 2pm on French Red Trans boat. Arrived Calais 3.30pm. March to overflow camp arrive 5pm finished for ??. Got paid 15. Few kit on piquet. Sun night MO. Inspected Sun. Left Calis at 2pm.

　

10-09-1918: Posted to 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (51st Brigade in 17th (Northern) Division) Tuesday 10 Sept left Fontenell ? Harteen? Arrived at 5? Le grand day at ? March to ?. Wing for one night?

12 Sept March to Lacfell? Got there at 7 got A Coy Sept 12

12-09-1918: Joined 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

18 Sept went over the ? At 3am took ? Retrieved for 48. Went in again for four days took 2150 prisoners and lots of guns some out ? Manacourt for rest. Returned 24 hours. At Manacourt up to ?? ?? Ford that ??

Tiring all along the front ?? To the old front line at ??Court for 2 days

?? In the morning for reserve for ?? Went through then advanced about ?? Miles

Got hold it Mortigany?? There in the town

Got treated m cott 10 e yorks through still ??? Stayed the night in a barn all this place went in the line for five days then left other ??

?? To at 8 or on the road over the life the dive took all ???? Got relieved ?? The 22 went to the ?? In different ?? Two nights there.

Then went to Coffort?? For the 21 going ?? Over they abandoned about 10 kit days?? For two nights then went back had to move up in reserve for the dive in the line all the black forest had four days there then went in ?? suffort

5 Nov moved up to the line went over the total took the Mormal forest?? With ??

Went through us rest day ?? Gone during the night we stayed in the woods for 2 days and it rained like hell.

8 Nov We moved up for the night In a bullet??

9 Nov Moved up and went in the line on the night of the ?? Advanced line about a mile

?? Night got relieved by the 52 brigade came back to ?? For three days

2 days march to Roisvillers for training

3 Dec marched to Farviell 25

4 Dec marched to Allort 25 . Inspected by King on the main road from Indy?? To the cateau reached all ?? Time

5 Dec marched to Killonvilles 22

6 Dec marched to Piquiney 25

7 Dec marched to Epagenette 28

8 Dec Kit from Abbeville

Dec 7 started on ?? Days march halted

Sunday got stripe

28-12-1918: Appointed as unpaid acting Lance-Corporal

29 Dec at Efange

30 Dec moved to Port Peng

30 Dec in Billet

28-01-1919: Examined and interviewed in France/Flanders regarding any disability - none noted

31 Jan ?? (looks like warned or mourned or worried)

1 Feb paraded at Head Quarters at 6.56 started of the div at 7.45. Had 25 kils to march to Anger. Got there about 8 o’clock. Stayed the night in Hutts.

2 Feb Facted? At orderly room at 8 o’clock for march at Amoons? About 28 kil. Got there at 1.00 stayed there.

3 feb marched to the rail head of? 5.45 entrained there for Rouen. Go there at night Went to rest camp for night

4 Feb inspection then went to another camp Had a bath and clean change of clothes then went to Dispersal camp. Stayed the night

04-02-1919: To UK for demobilisation

5 Feb paraded at 4.30 marched to the docks. Got the river boat for Le Harvre then got on a big American boat. On that all night.

05-02-1919: Posted to 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment for records purposes only

6 Feb landed at Southampton. Got train for Killarney. Got there about 10 at night. Had inspection? Supper.

07-02-1919: Issued with Protection Certificate (proof of service if needing to claim unemployment benefit) at Harrowby Camp, Grantham (Military Qualification 1st Class shot)

06-03-1919: Transferred to Class Z Army Reserve after 28 days leave

Feb Got home Thursday at 2.30

　

Information found with thanks to members of the Great War Forum

Other information from the Diary

Sunday May 9 1915 Lost D

Weight of gun 26. Weight of magasine when filled 4 and half pounds

[esmeralda1961]

Evening all - Berts brother Walter E Bailey 5528 renumbered 202160 also with the Lincolnshire regiment

I found a mention on the War Forces site but I dont have member ship - if anyone has membership would you mind taking a look for me. I would like anything you can find. We as a family do not even have a photo of him. Did he get any medals? We as a family do not have those.

As always many thanks to everyone. (So excited with all this new information )

[Bingo794]

His Medal Roll shows that they both were awarded the same gongs, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Walter E would have also had a Death Plaque sent to his NOK as a commemoration of his in service death.

R

Left BWM & Right VM, number, rank and name with unit abbreviation appear on the rim of the two medals.

Deat Plaque Centre Bottom.

Just a few from the old collection!

[KizmeRD]

Great information, thank you. My Great Uncle Bertie Bloy (201214) was with the 2/4th Lincolns in Ireland, and the entries from Bert's war diary is great help in filling in the details of his movements. Unfortunately he did not survive the conflict and died 29/09/1917.

Michael

[esmeralda1961]

Cheers Michael - Glad that I can help others

[Bingo794]

Emails sent with the actual copies of the documents, the Medal Rolls.

I will send you the scan of the 2/5th Lincs at Fermoy at the weekend. Cannot get to it while at work!

Rick Whitworth

[esmeralda1961]

Emails sent with the actual copies of the documents, the Medal Rolls.

I will send you the scan of the 2/5th Lincs at Fermoy at the weekend. Cannot get to it while at work!

Rick Whitworth

Many many thanks... printer is over heating as we speak. So nice to see a letter written by my great grandmother though. She was called Ellen Maude Bailey but some documents named her as Maude Ellen. To see her signature confirms which way she actually called herself.

Have replied to the emails but dont think they are you!!

[esmeralda1961]

Service record of Charles Herbert Bailey

Private B Bailey

5180 (renumbered in 1917 201935)

10 Platoon

C Company

2/4 Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

59 North Midland Division

177 Infantry Brigade

C/O G C

(Information from service record courtesy of members of The Great War Forum)

(Entries from Bert’s war diary)

09-12-1915: Enlisted under the Derby Scheme at the Drill Hall, St Peter's Street, Stamford (the engraving still exists above the HQ's arch onto St Peter's Street)

Finished work January 19 1916. Called up Jan 22 1916.

10-12-1915: Posted to the Army Reserve and returned home to await mobilisation

06-01-1916: Mobilisation papers sent out along with Railway Warrant (Pass) and instructions to be at the Guildhall at Grantham by 11am on 22-1-1916 for mobilisation

22-01-1916: Mobilised for active service

Went to Grantham.

23 January went to Lincoln.

26 January went to Harpenden.

27-01-1916: Posted to the 2/4th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment (177th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division)

27-01-1916: Originally allocated number 20577

27-01-1916: Number revised to 5180

20 April went to Liverpool. Then sailed to Ireland.

21^st.April Landed at Kingston.

22^nd April went to Dublin. Went to Killarney Camp

xx-04-1916: Served with 2/4th Battalion in Ireland

15-06-1916: Guilty of having a rusty bayonet (not very clear) at ....lls Bridge - 3 days confined to barracks

3^rd August began 8 day march to Tralee which was about 108 miles.

4^th Aug camped at Killavullen 14 m

5 Aug camped at Mallow 12m

6 Aug camped at Banteer 15m

7 Aug camped at Killarush 14m

8 Aug camped at Rathmore 18m

9 Aug camped at Killarney 16m

10 Aug camped at Farranfore 14m

11 Aug camped at Tralee 12m Totalling 115m. Pitch camp as soon as we arrive. Revallie every morning at 4 o’clock. March off at 6 o’clock.

11 Aug arrived Tralee . Ballymullen camp

20 Aug went to Queens Town then took boat to Haulbowline with ammunition

6 Sept went to Killarney.

20 Sept leave until 27th

28 Sept went back to Tralee

8 Nov leave for 7 days in Killarney

Christmas at Tralee (1916)

1917

?? Left Northwall for England midnight. Went to Fovant near Salisbury plain. Levave in Salisbury plain

12 Jan went to Codford(?)

28 Jan went back to Fovant

5 Feb Leave from Fovant 6 days

Feb (13^th - not in diary - found this in 59^th History) 1917 Inspected by the King at Fovant (King George V)

　　

23-02-1917: To France via Southampton & Havre

23-02-1917: Eligible for the award of the British War Medal and Victory Medal (Medals would be distributed in the early 1920s)

23 Feb left Fovant for France.

24 Feb Embarked at Southampton for Le Harvre

Left Le Harvre for Fouencamp Sailleure

01-03-1917: Lincolnshire Regiment Number updated to 201935

?? March 2 days march to a rest camp in Bayonvillers

4 March marched to Foucoucourt. Slept in dug outs

5 March Monday went up the line at night to relieve Northumberland Fus releived by Leicesters.

11 March went to Belloy in BRTJ

16 March Friday night big advance

20 March came out of tranches for a rest at St Martins camp

24 March Saturday route march back to Belloy

25 March Sunday route march. Slept in ruined houses.

26 March route march to Tincourt

27 March Tues march at night the up out forts outside the same??

28 March Wednesday advanced to Roisel Village

3 April attack on Fervaque farm about 70 casualties A and D

5 April took Templeux

6 April 1917 Good Friday at Templeux

7 April got 5 days leave. Vaccinated at the same time.

6 May Sunday Jeancourt. Hargicourt quarries

?? Agincourt

15 May relieved by Indians of Hodshon Horse for personal rest at Bocaucourt and Vrainges

27 May marched 15 miles ? Fins wood

13-08-1917: Sick to hospital - admitted to 2/2 North Midland Field Ambulance with P.U.O. (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin, i.e. fever)

14-08-1917: Admitted to No 21 Casualty Clearing Station at Ytres (location per Long, Long trail - Léchelle is the village next door)

15 Aug in Hospital at Lechelle

25-08-1917: Admitted to No 6 General Hospital at Rouen

28-08-1917: Of "C" Company 2/4th battalion Lincolnshire Regiment at time of leaving the battalion

28-08-1917: Evacuated to the UK aboard Hospital Ship "St George"

Aug left Rouen. The saint George got in Hospital at Hursley nr Winchester. Went on sick leave Winchester Hospital

29-08-1917: Admitted to hospital at Hursley Camp with trench fever

29-09-1917: Discharged from "Military Hospital, Hursley Camp" after 31 days treatment

29-09-1917: Granted 10 days home leave until 8-10-1917 Got 10 reported at Saltfleetby

08-10-1917: Posted to 4th Reserve Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment at Saltfleetby for further duty

22 Nov Thursday draft leave in Saltfleetby got back Wednesday 28

30 Nov Friday started for France 3pm got to Peterborough at 6.30

??? Folkestyone at 3. In houses until 7.30 got on the boat at 8.30. 3 hours ride. Very rough paddle boat.

01-12-1917: To France Boulogne marched to rest camp again. In hills for the night. Left camp at 4.30 for station. Wait until 6 for train to Calais. Got there at 6.15 drew rifles as soon as got there.

3 Dec ? days gas drill

4 Dec ? divisional wing. ? Baillel then to saint Omer night then to the Buckingham?

06-12-1917: Posted to 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (25th Brigade in 8th Division)

26 Dec Left there for Ypres 08-12-1917: Joined 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

31 Dec 4 Days reserve at St Jean camp ? In line at Pachendale Ridge shell holes

Got frost bitten foot during the line up.

06-01-1918: Evacuated from 2nd Battalion with trench feet

06-01-1918: Admitted to 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station

09-01-1918: To Boulogne aboard No 7 Ambulance Train (Jan 9 got on 7 Ambulance train to Bologne. Got to general hospital. Left Bologne sat morning 7.30 for the boat. Got to Dover about 2 pm from ? At 2.30 got to Leicester 10..30 /s Northern General Hospital P ward

10-01-1918: Admitted to No 53 General Hospital, Boulogne

12-01-1918: To England aboard Hospital Ship St Denis

12-01-1918: Admitted to ??th Northern General Hospital, ????, suffering from Trench Feet (possibly 4th Northern General Hospital at Lincoln, or 5th Northern General Hospital at Leicester)

14 Jan 1918 Camped out at Willigo Junction ? Got on train for Flamentines. Got to Red Rose camp about 8pm. Rest in Hospital then to Australian CCS (casualty clearing station)

15 Feb went to Burton SPF

21 March 2^nd day of big push Walt (Brother Walter Edward - or Edmund- Bailey) reported missing

17-04-1918: Discharged from hospital after 91 days treatment Went back to Boer Hospital April. Got leave the same day . Arrive home 2.30 Met A.S.(Alice Smith- later to be his wife and eventually my grannie) on Sat. Got £8 sent while at home.

18-04-1918: Granted 21 days home leave

21 April report at Saltfleetby left marked DS

1^st May sent to ? Hall. Left there May 1 for Rippon via Louth Lincoln. Doncaster. Leeds. Harrowgate. Arrived Rippon about 8

08-05-1918: Reported to No 2 Infantry Command Depot at Ripon for massage (i.e. physiotherapy), marching and other exercises designed to toughen the man back to full fitness

27 May ?

21 June went on weekend leave Friday to Tuesday June .

25-06-1918: Overstayed special leave ?? o'clock on 25-06-1918 until 7.45am on 26-6-1918 - admonished by Lt Colonel commanding the battalion and forfeited one days pay

24 July leave were taken in Rippon Yorks

　

16-08-1918: Discharged from the Ripon Command Depot and posted to 4th Reserve Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment at Chapel St Leonards for further duty

16 Aug leave to 28 August Alford lincs

23 Aug Finished

07-09-1918: Returned to France and Flanders via "K" Infantry Base Depot at Calais Friday September 7 1918 left for France 3.30. 30 mins wait at Boston. 30 mins wait at Peterboro. Arrived London at 9.30 ? Until 6.30 in the morn. Left Charing Cross at ?.30. Arrived Dover at 2pm on French Red Trans boat. Arrived Calais 3.30pm. March to overflow camp arrive 5pm finished for ??. Got paid 15. Few kit on piquet. Sun night MO. Inspected Sun. Left Calis at 2pm.

　

10-09-1918: Posted to 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (51st Brigade in 17th (Northern) Division) Tuesday 10 Sept left Fontenell ? Harteen? Arrived at 5? Le grand day at ? March to ?. Wing for one night?

12 Sept March to Lacfell? Got there at 7 got A Coy Sept 12

12-09-1918: Joined 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

18 Sept went over the ? At 3am took ? Retrieved for 48. Went in again for four days took 2150 prisoners and lots of guns some out ? Manacourt for rest. Returned 24 hours. At Manacourt up to ?? ?? Ford that ??

Tiring all along the front ?? To the old front line at ??Court for 2 days

?? In the morning for reserve for ?? Went through then advanced about ?? Miles

Got hold it Mortigany?? There in the town

Got treated m cott 10 e yorks through still ??? Stayed the night in a barn all this place went in the line for five days then left other ??

?? To at 8 or on the road over the life the dive took all ???? Got relieved ?? The 22 went to the ?? In different ?? Two nights there.

Then went to Coffort?? For the 21 going ?? Over they abandoned about 10 kit days?? For two nights then went back had to move up in reserve for the dive in the line all the black forest had four days there then went in ?? suffort

5 Nov moved up to the line went over the total took the Mormal forest?? With ??

Went through us rest day ?? Gone during the night we stayed in the woods for 2 days and it rained like hell.

8 Nov We moved up for the night In a bullet??

9 Nov Moved up and went in the line on the night of the ?? Advanced line about a mile

?? Night got relieved by the 52 brigade came back to ?? For three days

2 days march to Roisvillers for training

3 Dec marched to Farviell 25

4 Dec marched to Allort 25 . Inspected by King on the main road from Indy?? To the cateau reached all ?? Time

5 Dec marched to Killonvilles 22

6 Dec marched to Piquiney 25

7 Dec marched to Epagenette 28

8 Dec Kit from Abbeville

Dec 7 started on ?? Days march halted

Sunday got stripe

28-12-1918: Appointed as unpaid acting Lance-Corporal

29 Dec at Efange

30 Dec moved to Port Peng

30 Dec in Billet

28-01-1919: Examined and interviewed in France/Flanders regarding any disability - none noted

31 Jan ?? (looks like warned or mourned or worried)

1 Feb paraded at Head Quarters at 6.56 started of the div at 7.45. Had 25 kils to march to Anger. Got there about 8 o’clock. Stayed the night in Hutts.

2 Feb Facted? At orderly room at 8 o’clock for march at Amoons? About 28 kil. Got there at 1.00 stayed there.

3 feb marched to the rail head of? 5.45 entrained there for Rouen. Go there at night Went to rest camp for night

4 Feb inspection then went to another camp Had a bath and clean change of clothes then went to Dispersal camp. Stayed the night

04-02-1919: To UK for demobilisation

5 Feb paraded at 4.30 marched to the docks. Got the river boat for Le Harvre then got on a big American boat. On that all night.

05-02-1919: Posted to 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment for records purposes only

6 Feb landed at Southampton. Got train for Killarney. Got there about 10 at night. Had inspection? Supper.

07-02-1919: Issued with Protection Certificate (proof of service if needing to claim unemployment benefit) at Harrowby Camp, Grantham (Military Qualification 1st Class shot)

06-03-1919: Transferred to Class Z Army Reserve after 28 days leave

Feb Got home Thursday at 2.30

　

Information found with thanks to members of the Great War Forum

Other information from the Diary

Sunday May 9 1915 Lost D

Weight of gun 26. Weight of magasine when filled 4 and half pounds

http://www.drillhalls.org/Counties/Lincolnshire/TownStamford.htm

[Bingo794]

Many many thanks... printer is over heating as we speak. So nice to see a letter written by my great grandmother though. She was called Ellen Maude Bailey but some documents named her as Maude Ellen. To see her signature confirms which way she actually called herself. Have replied to the emails but dont think they are you!!

Im all over at the minute.

On my work PC, then on the mobi, then tablet, then the home laptop.

Using my lads email because there is too much going on workwise with the normal one.

A bit hectic at the mo.

Will get the Fermoy pic out of its frame to scan and see if i can enhance a tad. Thatll be tomorrow now. Nigh the weekend!

Will see if there is any mention of any of them in the newspapers of the time. Missing wounded or killed, too.

There is another avenue of investigation I can try, so will see what can be found.

RW

[esmeralda1961]

Im all over at the minute.

On my work PC, then on the mobi, then tablet, then the home laptop.

Using my lads email because there is too much going on workwise with the normal one.

A bit hectic at the mo.

Will get the Fermoy pic out of its frame to scan and see if i can enhance a tad. Thatll be tomorrow now. Nigh the weekend!

Will see if there is any mention of any of them in the newspapers of the time. Missing wounded or killed, too.

There is another avenue of investigation I can try, so will see what can be found.

RW

Ah but its all good fun...exciting when you find stuff...dissappointing when you dont....thank you once again for all you efforts.

[Steve Bramley]

Hi there,

Thanks for posting the extract from the diary. That is the best account of the Lincolns movements in Ireland I have seen by far. the Lincolns were involved in the surrender of the (later) Irish PM Eamon DeValera at the post office in Dublin. Do you have the 2/4th and 2/5th War Diaries? If not PM me your email and I will send you them.

On 11/4/17 the 2/4th and 2/5th were involved in what can only be described as an ambush when advancing through the quarry at Hargicourt towards their objective, Cologne Farm. The 2/5th suffered over 300 casualties.

Walter was formerly with the 1/4th Lincolns. He was one of approximately 200 men from the 1/4th transferred to the 2/5th when the 1/4th were disbanded on 29/1/1918. He appears in a casualty list in the Gainsborough News as wounded/missing 17/5/1918 (i do not have the list to hand). I also have hime recorded as being in B Company.

Regards,

Steve.

[Steve Bramley]

Walter Edmund

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/739335/BAILEY,%20WALTER%20EDMUND

[Bingo794]

Nice to see you pop in Mr. Bramley!

Haven't heard from you or Chris for a while!

R

[Steve Bramley]

Hello tricky Ricky

How's things? Indeed, long time no speak. You Chris and I are overdue a get together.

Some great work from you and Stebie on this post,

Cheers,

Steve.

P.S. 100th anniversary of the Hohenzollern next year, you coming?

[DaveBrigg]

On 11/4/17 the 2/4th and 2/5th were involved in what can only be described as an ambush when advancing through the quarry at Hargicourt towards their objective, Cologne Farm. The 2/5th suffered over 300 casualties.

Steve.

Interested to read this Steve. One of 'our' casualties, Francis Sipling of the 2/5th Lincs, was killed that day but we also have a man from the 10th Lincs killed at Hargicourt on 27th August that year.

In the diary there was an unclear section after the reference to the rusty bayonet. Could it refer to 'Balls Bridge'? For some reason it's the only place I remember from a coach trip through Dublin many years ago, and would presumably have been a strategic point that needed guarding.

[Steve Bramley]

Hi Dave,

I am sure that you are right with Balls Bridge. I have Francis Sipling as belonging to 12 Platoon, C Company. The majority of casualties at 'Cologne Farm' were from A and C Companies. I know that he lived in Brigg, do you have an address for him at all?

Regards,

Steve.

[esmeralda1961]

Interested to read this Steve. One of 'our' casualties, Francis Sipling of the 2/5th Lincs, was killed that day but we also have a man from the 10th Lincs killed at Hargicourt on 27th August that year.

In the diary there was an unclear section after the reference to the rusty bayonet. Could it refer to 'Balls Bridge'? For some reason it's the only place I remember from a coach trip through Dublin many years ago, and would presumably have been a strategic point that needed guarding.

Hi guys

many thanks for all the new information . Have just returned from trip to London to see the poppies and Stamford with my family where I could read the diary and decipher the question marks. Will go back through it on here as soon as I can.

[DaveBrigg]

Hi Dave,

I have Francis Sipling as belonging to 12 Platoon, C Company. The majority of casualties at 'Cologne Farm' were from A and C Companies. I know that he lived in Brigg, do you have an address for him at all?

Regards,

Steve.

Hi Steve

Thanks for the extra info. At risk of hijacking this thread I have a little bit of info about Francis. He is listed in 1911 as living at Sergeant's Yard which was behind the White Hart on Bridge Street alongside the Ancholme. He worked at the brewery with his father.

His brother Frederick Sipling had a more eventful life. He also worked at the brewery but married in 1905. His wife died two years later, probably during the birth of their second child. By 1911 his two daughters were living in Brigg with their grandparents while Frederick had moved to Skegness. We couldn't work out why until we saw his headstone, with an inscription from his sorrowing Kate. Another look at the 1911 census revealed that he was living with a married woman described as a servant. Frederick died of wounds with the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1917. Within a space of 14 months his poor daughters were orphaned and also lost three uncles.

(P.S The Sipling boys had a sister Ellen. In 1911 she was a domestic servant for the Walker family in Brigg. Joe Walker was killed at Loos with the 8th Lincolns)

[Steve Bramley]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for that. Something to add to the database. Interesting and sad stories, another family devastated. The source for Francis was the Territorial Service Gazette,

Cheers,

Steve.

[esmeralda1961]

Finally I have found the time to copy out all the information that I have... So folks this is as good as it gets. Many thanks to all who have filled in the gaps for me.

World War 1 Diary of Private Charles Herbert Bailey

The information shown in brackets and italics has been added by myself. this information has been gathered with help from other people and other documents and family knowledge.

Private B Bailey 5180 (renumbered in 1917 201935) .

10 Platoon

C Company

2/4 Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

59 N M Division

177 Infantry Brigade

C/O G C

Enlisted December 1915.

Finished work January 19 1916 (Stamford). Called up Jan 22 1916. Went to Grantham. Went to Lincoln January 23. On January 26 went to Harpenden.

On 20 April went to Liverpool. Then sailed to Ireland. Landed at Kingston (Ireland) on April 21^st. Went to Dublin April 22^nd. Went to Kilarney Camp. (1916

In April 1916 the Division was hurriedly ordered to Ireland to assist in quelling troubles that broke out in Dublin and elsewhere. Severe fighting took place in the battle against the Irish nationalist forces. The Division's first battle casualties were incurred. Once things had settled down the units moved from Dublin to the Curragh.

The passing of the Military Service Act in early 1916 deemed all men to have agreed to serve overseas and thus the Division was available to be sent, once it was trained. ) Ref :The long long trail

Aug 3 started 8 day march to Tralee which was about 108 miles . Arrived Tralee Aug 11 - 20miles

Ballymullen camp Barracks

Aug 20 went to Queens Town then took boat to Haulbowline with ammunition.

Sept 6 went to Killarney. Went back to Tralee. Sept 28 Hutts.

Christmas at Tralee (1916)

Left Northwall For England midnight. Went to Fovant near Salisbury Plain. Jan 12 went to Cod ford

Jan 28 went back to Fovant.

Inspected by King at Fovant on Feb 1917.

(On February 13^th 1917 King George V inspected the 59^th Division and presented decorations won during the Easter rebellion)

Left Fovant for France Feb 23. Embarked at Southampton for Le Harvre 24/2/17. (Normandy)

Left Le Harvre for Fouencamp

Sailleure

Lost D Sunday May 9 1915 (Not sure what this means More than 11,000 British casualties were sustained on 9 May 1915, the vast majority within yards of their own front-line trench. Mile for mile, Division for Division, this was one of the highest rates of loss during the entire war.)

Private Thiselton 61866

Royal Army Medical Corps No 30 General Hospital

A P C (Army Pay Corps)

B E F (British Expeditionary Force)

Good Friday at Templeux

2 Whit Sunday in camp 2 Lincs

Started on march from Fermoy to Tralee Aug 3 1916

Aug 4 1^st day camped at Killavullen 14 m

Aug 5 2^nd day camped at Mallow 12m

Aug 6 3^rd day camped at Banteer 15m

Aug 7 4^th day camped at Killarush 14m

Aug 8 5^th day camped at (W)Rathmore 18m

Aug 9 6^th day camped at Killarney 16m

Aug 10 7^th Day camped at Farranfore 14m

Aug 11 8^th day camped at Tralee 12 m

115m

Pitch camp as soon as we arrive. Revallie every morning at 4 oclock. March off at 6 oclock to

Private F Walliam

2 of 351 No 2 Coy Southstaff BEF

Leave

Got 5 days on April 7. Vaccinated same time. Got leave from Killarney Ireland Sept 20 until 27^th. Got leave from Tralee Nov 8 7 days. Leave from Fovant Feb 5 6 days.

Mr f Rolfe

5 Maiden Lane

Stamford Lincs

New : Miss E M H (later mentioned as Esther M Harwood)

Aug 3 1915

Lost Dec 7

Made it up when was on leave April 7

20 Dec 7 1916

£ S D (Pounds, Shillings and Pence)

15 0 0

Mrs K Butcher

No 5 Church Street

St Martins

Stamford

(Poem written)

Lincolns in Ireland

Just a little band of rebels

They set out to fight one day

On a very pretty island

Not very far away

And when some help was needed

And the news it came their way

The Lincolns packed up quickly

And were soon upon their way

Although we call them washouts

Their virtue we’ve been blind

They will always be remembered

By the girls they left behind

They have come back safely.

We can shake them by the hand

And be sure they did their duty

In that place called Ireland.

Written by Private Charles Herbert Bailey at some point 1915 or 1916 whilst in Ireland before going to France.

Weight of gun 26

Weight of magasine when filled 4 ½ lbs

201298 Private C Thiselton

21 st P of W Camp

A P Co 20 (Army Pay Corp)

B E F(British Expeditionary Force)

Private J Kirk 31278

Of South Lancs

R C Hospital (Red Cross)

Cirencester

Gloucestershire

England

Miss E Holm

Sunny Bank

East Street

Stamford

Mrs Barker

87 Ryhall Rd

Stamford

Miss K Butcher

54 Queens Walk

West End

Stamford

Miss E M Harwood

Bury

Nr Ramsey

Hunts

22 High street

Stamford

L/Cpt G Fandgate 20225

10 Platoon

C coy

2/4 Lincoln

B E F (British Expeditionary Force)

Then 2 days march to a rest camp Bayonvillers

Sunday March 4 marched to Foucoucourt. Slept in dug outs. Mon 5 went up to the line at night to relieve the Northumberland fus rel by Leicesters.

Sunday march 11 went to Belloy in B R T J ???

Friday night 16-3-17 big advance

Tuesday march 20^th came out of trenches for a rest at St Martins camp Foucoucourt

Sat 24 3 17 route march back to Belloy. Sun 25 march route march . Slept in ruined houses.

Mon 26 route march to Tincourt. Tues 27 route march at night the up out-forts outside the same. ??? Wed 28 advanced to Roisel Village.

April 3 attack on Fervaque farm about 70 cas (casualties) A and D

April 5 took Templeux (le guerard)

On 11/4/17 the 2/4th and 2/5th were involved in what can only be described as an ambush when advancing through the quarry at Hargicourt towards their objective, Cologne Farm. The 2/5th suffered over 300 casualties

May 6 Sunday

Jeancourt

Agincourt (2 marites)

Tuesday May 15 relieved by Indians of Hodshon Horse for personal rest at Bocaucourt and Vrainges

May 6 Jeancourt Hargicourt quarries

Tuesday May 15 relieved by the Indians of Hodshon Horse for divisional rest at Bocoucourt and Vrainges

Fri 27 May march 15 miles

Fins wood

15/8/17 in Hospital at Lechell

Left Rouen Aug

The Saint George got in Hospital at Hursley ?? Nr Winchester

Went on leave sick Sept.

(August 1917 evacuated with trench fever caused by lice)

(Prisoner of War camp near Winchester Hampshire )

Got 10 (days leave) reported at Saltfleetby.

Draft leave Thursday Nov 22 got back 28 Wednesday

Friday 30 started for France 3pm got to Peterborough at 6.30

6 ?? Folkestone at 3 in houses until 7.30 got on the boat at 8.30 3 hours ride . Very rough paddle boat.

(Back to France and Flanders in December 1917. Posted to 2^nd Battalion.)

Dec 1 1917 Boulogne march to rest camp again

In hills for the night. Left camp at 4.30 for station. Wait until 6 for train to Calais. Got there at 6.15 drew rifles as soon as got there.

Dec 3 2 days gas drill

Dec 4 got to divisional wing

Bailleleul

Then to Saint Omer. Night then to the Bossingham Left here on Dec 26 for Ypres … days reserve at St Jean Camp … in the line at Pachendale Ridge shell holes.

Dec 31^st for four days got frost bitten foot during the line up. Camped out on Jan 14 to Willgio Junktion Got on train for Flamentines

Got to Red Rose camp about 8pm… sent in Hospital

Sunday Jun 6 to 25 Field Ambulance then to 3 Australian

CCS

(A train accident occurred in France in Dec 1917 with the deaths of over 500 soldiers.)

Jan 9 get on 7 Ambulance train to Bologne. Got to general hospital. Left Bologne sat morning 7.30 for the boat. Go to Dover about 2pm from ?? At 2.30 got to Leicester 10.30

1/5 Northern General Hospital

P Ward

Feb 5 went to Burton S p F

(Evacuated with Trench foot in Feb 1918)

Went back to the Boer Hospital April 17 VAD Hospital Got leave the same day. Arrive home 2.30.

Met A.S. (Alice Smith - Whom he later married and she became my Grannie) on Sat. Got £8. Sent while at home.

Report at Saltfleetby. April 21 left ? Marked DS

Leaves

April Harpenden 1916

Oct Tralee

Nov Killarney

Jan Salisbury Plain

Sept Winchester Hospital

Nov Saltfleetby

April Burton on Trent

June Ripon Yorks

July Ripon Yorks

Aug Alford (Lincs)

May 1 sent to Hall

Left there on May 1 for Rippon via Louth Lincoln

Doncaster

Leeds

Harrowgate

Arrived at Ripon about 8 put in 2B

May 25

Aug 23 Finished

Went on weekend leave Friday to Tuesday June 21 got leave July 26

Went to Huttoft Camp Alford

Aug 16 Friday draft leave Aug 28 Wednesday

from Huttoft

Friday Sept 7 1918 left for France 3.30

(Joined 7^th Battalion promoted to acting Lance Corporal in December 1918)

30 min wait at Boston

30 min wait at Peterboro

Arrived London at 9.30

Wait at S A Home

Until 6.30 in morn

Left Charing Cross at 7.30

Arrived Dover at 10.30 left Dover at 2 pm on French Red Cross boat arrived Calais at 3.30 pm

March to overflow camp

Arrive at 5pm finished for day

Sun got paid 15 7

drew kit on Picquet

Sun night MO

Infection Sun

Left Calias at 2pm

Tuesday 10 Sept left Fontenell station

At 5 arrived at achat le grand

Next day at 7pm 3 hours march to 17 Div wing

for one night

Started at 12 am to march to Lacfell

Got there at 7 got to A Coy Thursday Sept 12

Sept 18 went over the top at 3am took Gougycourt held it for 24 hours. Div stunt got relieved for 48 hours

Went in again for four days

Took 5000 prisoners and lots of guns some out to Manacourt for rest

Left Manacourt in half hours notice. Heard that trety was retiring all along the front went to the old front line at Gougey Court for 2 days

Got orders to move at 1.30 in the morning for reserve for the 21 Div going over. Got 8. Next day got 9. We went through then we advanced about 4 miles

Got held up at Montigany. Lives there in the town

Got treated well. Got 10 E.Yorks. Went thru Fritty. Stayed 2 night in a barn at this place went in the line for four days then left other side of Inchy. Came out to rest at Montigny. Moved up to J.I. at 8.00. Got tea on the road. Went over the top all the Div took all. Got relieved on the 22 went to the Coffort. Had 2 nights there. Then went to Coffort for the 21 going over they advanced about 10 kil dug in for two nights then went back to Inchy for rest. Had one night then had to move up in reserve for the div in the line at the Black Forest. Had four days there then went back to Inchy for Div rest had 4 days then went in support moved up to the line went over the top on the 5 Nov took the Mormal forest with several hundreds of prisoners. The 21 Div went through us next day Fritty gone during the night we stayed in the woods for 2 days and it rained like hell. We moved up on the 8 for the night

In a billet. Moved up on the 9 went in the line on the night of the 9^th . Advanced on line about a mile

With no barrage. Fritty hops off at night got relieved by the 52 brigade came back for three days

2 days march to Troisvillers for training Dec 4

(1917) Inspected by King on the main road from Inchy to the cateau rained all the time

Dec 7 started on 6 days march halted first day at Moseniers 22

Day 2 hermies 18

Day 3 Farvieul 22

Day 4 Allert 25

Day 5 Allonvilles 22

Day 6 Piquiney 24

Day 7 Epagenette 28

Day 8 2 Kil from Abbeville

161

Got strife Sunday (In trouble for late return)

Dec 29 at Efange

Dec 30 moved to Port remy in good billet

Dec 30 in Billet

A train accident occurred in France in Dec 1917 with the deaths of over 500 soldiers.)

Jan 31 (1918) Morned Warned for demobilisation

Feb 1 Praded at Head quarters at 6.45 started off to div offing at 7.45

Had 25 kils (kilometers) to march to Angest got there about 3 oclock stayed the night in Hutts

Feb 2 praded at orderly Room at 8 oclock for march at Amons about 28 kil got there at 1.00 stayed there the night in Hutts

(Demob Feb 4^th 1919)

Feb 3 marched to the rail head at 5.45 entrained there for Rouen got there at night

Went to rest camp tents for night

Feb 4 had inspection then went to another camp

had a bath and clean change of clothes then went to Dispersal Camp

Had the night there

Feb 5 paraded at 4.30 marched to the docks

Got the river boat for Le Harvre then got on a big American boat . On that all night.

Feb 6 landed at Southampton got a train for Harroby

Got there about 10 at night

Had inspection and supper Feb 7 handed all gear in and finally got home at 2.30 on Thursday

(6^th Feb 1919)

Miss M Sylvester

C/O Grant Co

Station St

Burton

Private C Thistelton 3985

2/5 Batt Linc Reg

N0 5 Ward

Lukenham Mill Hospital

Norwich

Miss A Smith

6 St

Stamford

Mr F Barter

12 All Saints St

Met A smith when home on leave 2^nd time from France April 20^th

Walt (Walter Bailey) reported missing on March 21

2 day of big push Balucourt? 1918

(Walter No.5528 (renumbered 202160) was with the 1/4th initially and the 2/5th where he was listed as missing, eventually found to have been KIA 21/03/1918)

Private J Kirk 31278 (Berts Stepfather)

118 South lanc reg

2

B E F

Miss A Smith

3/5

C/O Mrs Rance

24 St Martins

B Bailey 5180

10 platoon

C company

2/4 Batt Lincs Regiment

59 North Midland Division

177 Brigade

C/O G

Leaves

1916

April Harpenden

Oct Tralee

Nov Killarney

Jan Salisbury Plain

Sep Winchester Hospital

Nov Salfleetby

April Burton on Trent

June Ripon Yorks

July Ripon Yorks

Aug Alford

Miss A Smith

6 Belton St

Stamford

Miss a Smith

C/O Miss Middleton

Villa Worthorpe

Stamford

L/Cpl Parrott 201604

D Coy

Survivor camp

4^th Res Batt Lins Reg

Saltfleetby

Nr Louth

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This information was provided by others

(1917 The Division returned to England in January 1917 and was based at Fovant by the end of the month. (The 65th (2nd Lowland) Division replaced it in Ireland). Orders were received to the effect that it would soon depart for France. Advanced parties left on 2 February: they missed an inspection by King George V that took place on 13 February. The units crossed the Channel from 17 February and completed concentration at Mericourt on 3 March 1917. Reports said that the Division could not be considered properly trained (largely as it had been split up in Ireland) but it did not have any opportunity to add to its training before it was thrown into the front line south of the Somme, near Estrees. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line (17-5 April)

When the enemy began his strategic withdrawal east from the Somme area, 59th Division was among the formations that followed up in cautious pursuit. The lack of training began to be felt in this difficult tactical situation. Units of the Division captured Jeancourt but met a bloody repluse at Le Verguier. Divisional HQ was established at Bouvincourt in April 1917. Further attacks took place at Villeret and Hargicourt quarries.

May 1917: Division relieved by the cavalry and moved for rest but after a matter of days moved back into the Cambrai front line at Havrincourt and Flesquieres, Divisional HQ being set up at to Equancourt.

June 1917: relieved and moved for rest at Barastre. A lengthy spell here, being "fattened up" for the Flanders offensive. Received orders to move in late August and thence by train from Acheux to Winnezeele, arriving 1st September.

The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge (23-25 September)*

On 20 September 1917, the Division's role was to relieve the 55th (West Lancashire) Division after it had made an attack in the area of Gravenstafel. The Lancashires succeeded in capturing all objectives and the 59th duly moved to relieve them. Assembling around Goldfish Chateau, just outside Ypres, the Division moved up into the salient on the night of 23/24 September and completed the move into battle positions during 25 and 26th. Divisional HQ was set up in a pillbox on the eastern bank of the Ypres Canal.

The Battle of Polygon Wood (26-30 September)*

The Division attacked as part of the British force that made an assault early on 26 September. Using 177th and 178th Brigades in front, the Division captured all of its objectives and then held on against German counter attack. Divisional HQ, finding its canal position to be very near some heavy artillery, moved back a way to Mersey Camp Wood but were there bombed by enemy aircraft at night. The Division had suffered 2000 casualties while in the salient and was relieved on 29 September by the New Zealand Division.

* the battles marked * are phases of the Third Battles of the Ypres

October 1917: relieved 1st Canadian Division in front line in the Lens sector, with Divisional HQ being at Chateau-de-la-Haie. Warned that it would be used to exploit the success expected in the forthcoming attack at Cambrai, the Division was relieved by the Canadians and began to move to Bapaume on 17 November. Divisional HQ set up at Basseux three days later.

The capture of Bourlon Wood (28 November)**

The German counter attacks(30 November - 3 December)**

** the battles marked ** are phases of the Cambrai Operations

After moving on 23 November to Etricourt, preparatory to taking over the line at Gouzeaucourt, orders were relived for the Division to switch to the northern flank of this operation, to relieve the Guards Division at Bourlon Wood. This took place on 29 November, with Divisional HQ going into huts at Trescault. On 1 December, many casualties were sustained from German shellfire which preceded an enemy infantry counter attack. This was beaten off by the Division. During the day, 470 Field Company RE, which was marching to the area of Gouzeaucourt, found itself caught up in the German advance in that area. Fighting as infantry, it assisted in the defence of the area until the Guards Division counter attacked and retook Gouzeaucourt. 59th Division was ordered to withdraw from Bourlon, which it did successfully, taking up a position at Flesquieres. On 16 December, Divisional HQ moved to Ytres.

23 December: moved out for rest at Le Cauroy, where Chistmas and all of January 1918 was spent.

1918

After a long period of rest and training, the Division took over the front line at Bullecourt on 11 February 1918, with HQ being established at Behagnies. Much work was done of strengtheneing the line for defence against expected enemy attack.

The Battle of St Quentin (21-23 March)^ (only 177th Bde and the artillery were in action on 22-23 March)

After suffering heavy casualties from German shellfire on 21 March, the enemy infantry succeeded in breaking through the Division's position where it met that of 6th Division in the valley of the River Hirondelle. Parties held on and continued to resist but were gradually destroyed and "mopped up". Fewer than 100 men of the 176th and 178th Brigades which had been holding the front line before the attack were assembled at roll call. Two battalion commanding officers were killed in action. At 7pm, the Division was officially relieved but 177th Brigade and various parties of ancillary units remained to take part in the continued defence.

The Battle of Bapaume (24-25 March)^

The next ten days were chaotic, as parties and individuals reassembled and the location of HQ meandered west, going via Bucquoy, Bouzincourt, Contay and Fienvillers to Villers-Chatel. On 1 April, the remnants of the Division moved by train to the Poperinge area in Flanders, leaving its artillery behind. New drafts of men arrived and on 5 April the Division took over the front line at Passchendaele, without having had any real opportunity to assimilate these drafts let alone train them.

^ the battles marked ^ are phases of the First Battles of the Somme 1918

The Battle of Bailleul (14-15 April)#

On 13 April, the Division was ordered to reinforce the Lys area that was under terrific enemy attack. 177th Brigade was split off to reinforce 19th (Western) Division north of Neuve Eglise (Nieuwkerke), while the rest moved to Westouter. A 6000 yard long line (that is, very thinly held) was taken over near Loker and here in the middle of 14 April, the units came under violent attack.The enemy broke through on the left and the British line crumbled. Bailleul fell and 176th and 178th Brigades fell back in disarray on Mont Noir (Zwarteberg). Losses had been heavy.

The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge (17-18 April)#

On 26 April, Division was relieved. HQ moved to Vogelje Convent north of Poperinge and the troops were engaged in digging new defence lines.

# the battles marked # are phases of the Battles of the Lys

In early May 1918 after considerable losses had been incurred in the Battles of the Somme and Lys, the infantry and pioneer battalions, brigade trench mortar batteries and machine-gun battalion were reduced to training cadre establishment. All surplus men were sent to the Base or drafted to other units. The Division was reconstituted and made up to strength with Garrison Guard battalions. The Division was placed on rear defence construction during June 1918. The 59th was then again reconstituted and underwent training to enable it to hold a sector of front line again. The Division took over a sector on 25 July 1918 and came under the command of Third Army

The Battle of Albert (21-22 August)+

The Division took part in an attack near Ablainzeville as the Allies began a series of powerful blows that eventually defeated the German Army, on 21 August 1918. This was a puny affair in comparison with the Somme fighting in 1916, for the 59th Division captured a number of enemy positions with very little loss and the enemy did not counter-attack. Two days later, it held the British front line as three Divisions from the same Corps launched the next blow, across the valley of the River Scarpe near Arras. As the Armies advanced, the 59th was - because it was seen as a second-grade formation - used to follow up the attacking units, to consolidate positions held, and to provide endless working parties.

+ the battles marked + are phases of the Second Battles of the Somme 1918

The general final advance in Artois and Flanders (2 October - 11 November)

In early October, the Division operated in the area of the River Lys. At this time it had transferred to the command of Fifth Army (Lieut-Gen. Sir William Birdwood). On 16 October, it was fighting to recapture Lille and after initial fighting made a significant unopposed advance to the Basse Deule canal. The Division was welcomed by thousands of liberated French people in the streets of Lille. By 23 October, the position had advanced to near Valenciennes on the Belgian border but only after hard fighting on the Scheldt. 178th Brigade was the first Allied formation to coss that river when it seized the bridge at Pont-a-Chin. When the fighting ended on 11 November 1918, the forward units halted north-east of Tournai in Belgium, facing Lessines.

The units moved to the area south and south east of Lille after the Armistice, going on to Noeux les Mines and Bethune between 4-7 December. Here the units began to demobilise. Some units moved after a few days to Dunkirk to assist with a dispersal camp, through which coal miners were prioritised for early demobilisation. Divisional HQ was located at Vaudricourt Chateau from 6 December 1918 and then at Le Beau Marais near Calais from 8 March 1919. In May, the battalions of 176th Bde left to go to Egypt. By July 1919 the Division was down to a small set of cadres and on 1 September 1919 the history of the Division came to an end.

The order of battle of the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division

176th (2/1st Staffordshire) Brigade

2/5th Bn, the South Staffordshire Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918

2/6th Bn, the South Staffordshire Regiment reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 30 May 1918

2/5th Bn, the North Staffordshire Regiment became 5th Bn when merged with 1/5th Bn 30 January 1918, reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 2 June 1918

2/6th Bn, the North Staffordshire Regiment reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 7 June 1918

174th Machine Gun Company joined 178th Bde 28 February 1917, moved to 176th Bde 6 March 1917, moved to 59th Bn MGC 7-8 Mar 1918

176th Trench Mortar Battery formed 20 January 1917, disbanded 8 May 1918, reformed 11 July 1918

6/7th Bn, the Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as cadre 7-10 May 1918 and left for 176th Bde, left 18 June 1918

1st Provisional Garrison Guard Bn joined 13 May 1918, renamed 17th Garrison Bn, the Worcestershire regiment on 25 May, left 18 June 1918

2nd Provisional Garrison Guard Bn joined 13 May 1918, left for 177th Bde 22 May1918

3rd Provisional Garrison Guard Bn joined 13 May 1918, left for 177th Bde 22 May1918

4th Provisional Garrison Guard Bn joined 13 May 1918, redesignated as 23rd Garrison Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers 25 May 1918, left 18 June 1918

4th Garrison Guard Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined 16 May 1918, renamed 26th Bn 16 July 1918

25th Garrison Guard Bn, the Kings (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 177th Bde 16 June 1918, renamed 25th Bn 16 July 1918

5th Provisional Garrison Guard, the Royal Sussex Regiment joined 13 May 1918, renamed 17th Garrison Guard Bn 25 May 1918 and then 17th Bn 16 July 1918

177th (2/1st Lincoln & Leicester) Brigade

2/4th Bn, the Lincolnshire Regiment became 4th Bn when merged with 1/4th Bn 31 January 1918, reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 2 June 1918

2/5th Bn, the Lincolnshire Regiment reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 29 May 1918

2/4th Bn, the Leicestershire Regiment reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 18 June 1918

2/5th Bn, the Leicestershire Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918

44th Machine Gun Company attached 23 February 1917 to 22 March 1917

177th Machine Gun Company

[Steve Bramley]

Thanks Esmeralda,

Very, very interesting indeed,

Regards,

Steve.

[esmeralda1961]

Hi I am now adding information to the IWM site( https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/3404025#facts ) and i've come across Charles E Parratt as mentioned in my granpas diary quoted below.

L/Cpl Parrott 201604

D Coy

Survivor camp

4^th Res Batt Lins Reg

Saltfleetby

Nr Louth

https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/dashboard