1/6th Royal Warwicks 14-31st July 1916

[owen4256]

I'd be very grateful if anyone with access to the War Diary or the Battalion History could post details of the 1/6th Royal Warwick's activities between 14th and 30th July 1916. I am researching a draft of the 48th Divisional Cyclists who joined the Battalion on attachment on the 14th July. 30 of the 38 were killed or wounded in July and August. I have details of the attack on the 18th August, when around half the casualties were sustained, but nothing for the second half of July.

Any help would be much appreciated

Regards

Clive

[Steven Broomfield]

There is a very good, if slim, history of the battalion which, if memory serves, list fatalities with dates and places. Do you have any specific names you're looking for? Several members of the Forum have the book but if no-one gets in before me I'll have a look later.

[Terry Carter]

13 - 15 July Albert in bivouacs. carrying parties

16 - 19 July Trenches south east of Ovillers

20 - 22 July Billets in Bouzincourt (Pte Arthur Grove Earp 2676 1/6 RWR executed. Bouzincourt Communal Cem Ext)

23 -26 Support trenches between Ovillers and Aveluy

27 July Bouzincourt

28 - 31 July Maison Rolland reorganisation and training

That is just the basics. Let us know if you need more

Terry

[Guest]

I wondered if any draft records exist for this time period for this regiment.

Terry, could you clarify the regiment of Pte Arthur Grove Earp wasn't he from the 1/5th RWR ?

[Terry Carter]

OOps sorry, Yes Arthur Grove Earp was in the 1/5th RWR. I visited his grave in Bouzincourt three weeks ago.

The diary mentions when drafts of men arrive. I will get back to you

[Terry Carter]

The diary mentions how many other ranks turn up as reinforcements but gives no mention if they are from cyclist battalions.

17 July 1 other rank

18 27 other ranks plus 17 officers (all named)

20 50 other ranks

21 119 other ranks

27 67 other ranks

31 130 other ranks

Terry

[owen4256]

All

Many thanks for the replies. In the casualty rolls the men of the Cyclist "draft" are shown as Cyclist Corps, Divisional Mounted Troops attached 1/6th Royal Warwicks and I believe that they remained formally part of the Army Cyclist Corps thoughout July.The survivors were formally transferred to the Warwicks at some point, possibly later in August 1916 and were allocated numbers in the range 2426** and also 208**. The dual Warwicks numbers are something of a mystery to me.

The men I am most interested in are:

Samuel Benjamin Bissell KIA 19.7.16

William Charles Woodbridge DOW 20.7.16

Frederick Harry Clapp KIA 28.7.16

William Francis Mobbs Kia 30.7.16

I 'd be very keen to understand what actions the battalion was engaged in on those four days.

I'm also unclear on George Edward Lambert, also KIA on 19.7.16. His date of entry of 21.9.15 suggests he was part of a the draft from the 2/1 South Midland Cyclists who joined 48th DCC and his Warwicks number is in the same sequence as the Cyclist transferees but medal roll and SDGW have him as Warwicks only.

Another three Cyclists, Sgts Dunn and Cannon and Cpl. Millier were KIA on 18.8.16. I have an account of the battalion's actions on that day but any further details on those three welcome. I have a photograph of Sgt. Dunn and also one of Captain Ralph Patridge MC* who was a platoon commander in the Cyclists before retuning to the Warwicks. I believe Partridge had returned to the Warwick before 1.7.16 but was held in reserve during the attacks.

Any further help gratefully received

Regards

Clive

[Guest]

I am still looking for a possible join date for Henry Nichols, he was called up in March and joined the battalion in around August/ September 1916 can't seem to decide a month (the paper said upon being killed 11th March 1917 that he has been in France 8 months).

Wonder how long it got before a soldier gained veteren status ?

[Guest Sam's grand-niece]

Samuel Benjamin BISSELL KIA 19th July 1916 was my Grand Uncle and we will be placing a wreath on 19th July on the war memorial at New Bradwell cemetery where he is commemorated.

 

I'm interested to know more about the Army Cyclist Corps and the actions around the date of his death.

 

His brother in law Arthur PLANT who is considered a war casualty although he died in April 1919 after an accident at work having been demobbed a fortnight previously, the Inquest having concluded he died because of the Malaria he’d contracted whilst serving in Salonika, was also in the Army Cyclist Corps.

 

As both came from New Bradwell, Bucks, and there was a tradition of competitive cycling in the area there being a cycle track at nearby Wolverton Park I've wondered if they were in the Cyclist Corps because of previous cycling experience or if this is just a coincidence?

[owen4256]

Sam's grand-niece

 

Happy to send you some background on the 48th Divisional Cyclist Company which Sam joined around October 1914. If you PM your email I will send you some material . Very interested in any photos you may have of Sam.

 

Regards

 

Clive