Pauline Haycock Posted 14 July , 2018 Share Posted 14 July , 2018 Does anyone have the transcribed war diaries of the 1/5 Leicestershire regiment from September - November 1918. I am researching my Uncle Lanc Sergeant James Langham Whitworth 240186 who fought at St Quentin Canal and the surrounding villages during the assault on the Hindenburg Line. The Leicestershire Regiment played a key role in this campaign and bringing an end to this dreadful war. He received his Croix de Guerre from a french general on 26 October 1918 at a regimental parade in the Grande Place at Fresnoy le Grand in Picardy. This is not on his medal card but is mentioned in the War Diaries as mentioned above. I understand his Croix de Guerre was with silver star. Would this have been mentioned in despatches or anywhere else. I have been invited by the town of Fresnoy le Grand to attend their WW1 Centenary event as a guest of honour and am trying to gather as much information as possible as they have asked me to speak about his war service and they wish to re-dedicate his award and present a certificate to his youngest descendant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Bob Davies Posted 14 July , 2018 Admin Share Posted 14 July , 2018 There is a mention of L Sgt Whitworth in the war diary, 26th Oct. He might also get mentioned in the London Gazette, I have not looked as yet. Regards, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 14 July , 2018 Share Posted 14 July , 2018 He was initially assigned the Regimental Number 1569 before being renumbered as 240186. (Medal Index Card and Medal Roll on Ancestry) He arrived in France on 28 February 1915, which might indicate he was the early batch of volunteers completing training, or prior experience, but being born in 1896 (is that your Family Tree?) and disembodied (discharged) 11 April 1919) so unless he was given home leave prior to that might raise a question about daughter Dorothy who died in 1941. He was therefore entitled to the 1915 Star as well as the "usual" British War and Victory medals. He therefore served almost the whole period of WW1 and I would be surprised if he wasn't wounded at least once in all that time, rising to Corporal by the time of renumbering. As you've probably already discovered, his Service Record doesn't seem to have survived the WW2 bombing and if wounded, not severely enough to warrant a Pension Record or Silver War Badge. Sorry, can't add much else but as you didn't mention his previous Number, thought it worth adding. There are expert Pals who might deduce more from Service Numbers or other arcane means! Good luck and a man rightly to be proud of. I look forward to finding if the CdG was for something specific and not "with the rations" as it were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 14 July , 2018 Share Posted 14 July , 2018 Hi Pauline, WRT his Croix de Guerre I didn't see anything in the Division HQ (General Staff) or A&Q diaries. The Brigade HQ diary mentions the award "ceremony", but doesn't expand any further. It would seem from the index of "foreign awards" (unless I've misunderstood it) that his name should appear in the London Gazette of 21st July 1919. There won't be any citation though. My understanding is that from British records that are available you won't find anything relating to a citation/recommendation for the award. Whether there might be something in French records, I don't know. Though if the Bn history has been written up, I guess that it might say something. Image source: The National Archives - file WO 388/12/3 The TF was renumbered in 1917. His 6 digit number falls within the block allocated to the 5th Battalion. I can't be 100% certain in your case, but what you usually find is that men were renumbered sequentially based on their previous number. That means that you can often search for men from the same regiment that had near (re)numbers who do have surviving papers, and establish a pattern of original 'join up' dates from which you can make a reasonable inference. It might be worth going through the service record hits here to see if there is a pattern. Hopefully, a Leicestershire Regiment specialist will pick up on your post, correct my errors, and be able to give you chapter and verse. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Bob Davies Posted 14 July , 2018 Admin Share Posted 14 July , 2018 From the war diaries; next one; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 15 July , 2018 Share Posted 15 July , 2018 You could try writing to the Military Attache at the French Embassy, who might be able to help with the reason for the award. Foreign awards had to be gazetted if the recipients intended to wear them, which was not always the case. Citations were not normally included in the LG. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 15 July , 2018 Share Posted 15 July , 2018 These 14 men had 2401xx Numbers, the last being killed on 11 October, which may give a clue as to what action the CdG may have been awarded for, especially if in co-operation with French troops. surname forename initials age_text honours date_of_death rank regiment secondary_regiment unitshipsquadron country servicenumberexport cemeterymemorial gravereference additionalinformation WARREN J 28/04/1917 Private Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240166 BULLY-GRENAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, BRITISH EXTENSION I. F. 17. BEEBY W 22 30/04/1917 Private Leicestershire Regiment 5th Bn. France 240142 NOEUX-LES-MINES COMMUNAL CEMETERY I. Q. 11. Son of Elizabeth Beeby, of 5, Chandler's Yard, Stockwell Head, Hinckley, Leics. Native of Nuneaton. BARKER E L 24 04/05/1917 Private Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240157 BULLY-GRENAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, BRITISH EXTENSION II. F. 16. Son of Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Barker, of Borough St., Castle Donington, Derby. FISHER J W D 21 08/06/1917 Serjeant Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240129 BULLY-GRENAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, BRITISH EXTENSION IV. A. 9. Son of Frank and Mary Ann Fisher, of 41, Dean St., Oakham, Rutland. STEVENSON F B 21 30/06/1917 Private Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240146 LOOS BRITISH CEMETERY XIX. B. 23. Son of Samuel and Mary B. Stevenson, of Thorpe Acre, Loughborough. DOWNES E C 13/07/1917 Corporal Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240171 BRUAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION H. 10. ELLICOTT O 15/08/1917 Private Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240124 PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEMETERY, MAZINGARBE I. U. 41. Son of William Ellicott, of 14, John St., Oakham. LORD SIDNEY S 21 17/08/1917 Private Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn France 240138 LOOS MEMORIAL Panel 42 to 44. Son of Louis and the late Ada Emily Lord. KNOTT JOHN THOMAS J T 24 M M 21/11/1917 Serjeant Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240175 PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEMETERY, MAZINGARBE III. A. 25. Son of Thomas and Caroline Knott, of West End, Asfordby, Melton Mowbray. HAMILL S 25/08/1918 Corporal Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240153 FOUQUIERES CHURCHYARD EXTENSION IV. E. 1. HOLT WILFRED ERNEST W E 21 25/08/1918 Private Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240199 FOUQUIERES CHURCHYARD EXTENSION IV. E. 2. Son of Herbert E. and Elizabeth Holt, of Post Office, Wharf St., Leicester. SMITH JOHN J 28 24/09/1918 Lance Corporal Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240109 CERISY-GAILLY MILITARY CEMETERY III. G. 12. Son of the late Thomas and Emma Smith, of Chesterfield, Derbyshire. HOWARD GEORGE G 11/10/1918 Private Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240167 VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL Panel 5. HODGES E 11/10/1918 Private Leicestershire Regiment 1st/5th Bn. France 240173 BUSIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION IV. A. 6. Lt Pierrepont appears to have survived the War, there may be more info on what he was doing, as an officer, rather than an "Other Rank" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 15 July , 2018 Share Posted 15 July , 2018 (edited) I'd normally add this as an edit, but the formatting on the previous post seems to have gone wild, so.... https://www.gutenberg.org/files/17369/17369-h/17369-h.htm The above seems to be a History of the 5th Bn, so I simply used "Ctrl" and "F" to find !Pierrepont" the 11 instances are shown here as extracts, but I suggest you might find reading it in its entirety more help than simple extracts. Captain A D Pierrepoint ........ At this time there were several important changes in the Battalion. First, we were very glad indeed to see Captains Tomson and Petch back again with us, the former to command "B," the latter to "A" Company. At the same time, Capt. Barrowcliffe returned to the Royal Engineers. Lieuts. C.S. Allen and R.W. Edge went to England for six months, and 2nd Lieut. Todd became Transport Officer. We also received a large draft from the 2nd/5th Battalion. Finding that it was impossible to obtain sufficient recruits to supply all the Battalions formed at the beginning of the war, each Brigade was now reduced to three Battalions, and we lost from our Brigade the 4th Lincolnshires. In the 59th Division, the 2nd/5th Leicestershires were broken up and divided into drafts for the 4th Battalion and ourselves. Capts. J.A. Ball and W.H. Oliver, Lieuts. S.G.H. Steel and A.D. Pierrepont, 2nd Lieuts. A.B. Bedford, H. Coxell, K. Ashdowne, and, later, A.E. Hawley and Everett came to us, bringing with them 200 N.C.O.'s and men. Amongst the latter were several Serjeants, one of them, Serjeant T. Marston, M.M., destined to add further laurels to the honours he had already won with the 2nd/5th. There were also several "old hands" who returned to us, amongst them, Privates Garfield and Law of "D" Company, both original members of the 1914 Battalion. These reinforcements enabled us to form again four platoons per Company, and we became once more a full Battalion. The following day—the 1st of September—we returned to trenches, and went into support with Battalion Headquarters in Le Quesnoy and the Companies in and around Gorre village. As the new Divisional Commander had not yet arrived Brigadier General Rowley was still in command of the Division and Lieut.-Colonel Foster, of the 4th Battalion, commanded the Brigade. The Germans were withdrawing very slowly, and by the 3rd the Staff decided that as soon as the 5th Lincolnshires had gained "Rum Corner" on the Rue du Bois, where the Boche had a strong pill box, we should go forward with a barrage with Princes' Road as our objective. Orders did not arrive until after midday and then Rum Corner had not fallen; it was, however, expected to fall by 4-0 p.m., and our attack was ordered for 8-0 p.m. the same evening. There was no time for reconnaissance and little for getting out orders, but we managed to arrange for an assembly position and a barrage, which was to advance in jumps of 100yds. every 4 minutes. Everybody had a hurried tea and set out between 5-0 p.m. and 6-0 p.m. for the line. It was not very satisfactory and we were all glad when, owing to the stout resistance of Rum Corner the advance was postponed until 5-15 the following morning—the 4th of September. It was a warm night and the Companies remained in the trenches round Loisne and were able to have a good meal before starting. Late that night the 5th Lincolnshires reported the taking of the "Corner," so that all was now ready for the battle. We did not expect much resistance. Shortly before midnight fresh orders arrived making our objective the old breastwork through Tube Station and Factory Post (the support line in 1915). If possible we were to push patrols on to the old British front line in front of Fme. Cour D'Avoué and Fme. du Bois............ ..........Soon after 4-0 a.m. we were all in our assembly positions—the three attacking Companies along a line running N. and S. about 300 yards E. of Epinette Road, with our left just North of Rue du Bois; the Support Company 100 yards behind them. "D" Company (Brooke) was on the right with orders to protect that flank, if necessary facing right to do so as they advanced, "A" Company (Petch) was in the centre, and "B" Company (Pierrepont) left, astride the Rue du Bois, "C" Company (Hawley) was in support. Battalion Headquarters were in Epinette East Post with an Orderly Room and rear Headquarters in Loisne. About an hour before we were due to start a curious thing happened: It was suddenly discovered that a considerable number of the 5th Lincolnshires were now some distance E. of our "jumping off line," and consequently beyond where the barrage was due to start. The Brigadier tried to get the barrage advanced, but it was found impossible to tell the Artillery in time, and in the end the Lincolnshires, much to their disgust, had to be withdrawn. As their leading men had gone as far as Princes' Road, it did not look as though we should have much opposition that far at all events......... ......... Promptly at 5-15 a.m. the barrage came down and the advance began. Princes' Road was reached and crossed, the breastwork was found empty, and, after a short pause in the latter, the right centre Companies went on to the old front line. The left Company had slightly more difficult ground, and arrived half-an-hour later; nowhere had a German been met, though one or two had been seen making for the Aubers Ridge. It was a bloodless victory, and by 7-0 a.m. the Battalion was occupying the identical sector that it occupied in 1915. The barrage had not been needed, but it was none the less very useful, for we all learnt how close we could keep and how to judge the "lifts." Consolidation was not a difficult matter except on the right flank, where we could not until evening get touch with the 55th Division. It was consequently necessary for "D" Company to swing back their right through Tube Station and Dead Cow Post and face South. On the left Colonel Currin with his Sherwood Foresters was in touch with us at the Factory Keep. Battalion Headquarters moved up just before midday to a small shelter 200 yards west of Princes' Road. In most of the captured dug-outs the following notice was found:— Dear Tommy,— You are welcome to all we are leaving, when we stop we shall stop, and stop you in a manner you won't appreciate. Fritz. It was neatly printed in English block capitals and caused much amusement. The whole day was in a way one great joke—the un-needed barrage, the empty trenches, these farewell notices, all combined to make us very happy............. ............ The enemy still held posts on the ridge close to the Australian front line, and were known to have several posts in Forgan's trench, which was the Southward continuation of our front line across the valley. Pontruet was overlooked from everywhere, and constantly bombarded by our Artillery, so it did not seem likely that it held many Boche. The Sherwood Foresters held the right of the Divisional line and joined with the 1st Division on the high ground South of the village. There was no sign of any intended operation, and it certainly looked as if we could not move until the troops on our right had advanced. Accordingly on the 22nd the Adjutant rode back to Brie to go on leave. Capt. Banwell, really a "battle detail," went up to assist the Headquarters, while the other "details"—Major Burnett, Captain Petch, Lieut. Pierrepont, 2nd Lieuts. Edwardes, Griffiths, Taylor, C.S.M.'s Cooper and Martin—remained with the Q.M. Stores............ ......... At 5-20 a.m. on the 17th the barrage opened and the battle began in a mist, which was thicker even than usual. Many Tanks accompanied by the Highlanders of the 1st Division, came through our position and passed down the hill towards Andigny, but of our own Brigade we could see nothing, and could only judge by the lessening of the enemy's machine gun fire, that the attack was successful. It must be admitted that our attention was somewhat distracted by the appearance of a hare, rather frightened by a Tank, and we forgot the battle to give chase. It was a short but exciting run, and the victim was finally done to death by "D" Company and provided the Serjeants with a good dinner. It was not until 10-0 a.m. that we first learnt how the attackers had fared. On the right our Brigade had taken their Regnicourt road objective, but in the fog several posts of the German front line had been missed and were still causing trouble, preventing the complete capture of the village of Andigny les Fermes, the left of our objective. In the same way the 6th Division had missed posts in the two farms Gobelets and Bellevue on their front, and we were ordered to send two companies to clean up these places and generally assist with the left of the attack. A few minutes later, however, this order was cancelled, as the 5th Lincolnshires and 6th Division both reported that they now held all objectives. Instead, "B" Company (Pierrepont) and "C" Company (Banwell) were placed at the disposal of Colonel Wilson of the 5th Lincolnshires, to exploit his success and patrol the Mennevret road to meet the French, and at 11-30 a.m. these two Companies moved off to the old German front line and waited there for instructions. Col. Wilson decided to use one Company only, and at 2-0 p.m. Capt. Pierrepont moved his Headquarters into Andigny les Fermes and sent off a strong patrol under 2nd Lieut. Davies towards Mennevret. As the enemy was still holding the woods in considerable strength, and the first mile of the road was under direct observation, the patrol met with heavy machine-gun fire at once, and 2nd Lieut. Davies returned for the time, preparing to make another attempt when the advance of the Divisions on our left had made it impossible for the Boche to remain in his positions near the E. edge of the village. Half "A" Company had already been attached to the 4th Leicestershires for carrying work, so that we had now only "D" Company (Hawley) and the remainder of "A" Company with Battalion Headquarters. No more orders came for us, and during the afternoon, as the sounds of war had become more and more distant, Cavalry and Whippets had disappeared Eastwards and there was nothing to do, we lay and basked in the sun, which was very hot and pleasant....... ...........At 5-45 a.m., the 4th, the battle began, and we fell in outside Headquarters, having previously had hot breakfasts and distributed large numbers of bombs and flares, also a generous supply of sickles and bill hooks, as the country was reported to be full of hedges. We marched at once to our first assembly position, Mazinghien, and at midday, as the battle reports were good, moved forward again, passing the Brigadier in the village; he seemed very cheerful, and we saw several droves of German prisoners, so concluded that everything must be satisfactory. In order to avoid the main roads, the C.O. led us round to Beaulieu by a field track which he had reconnoitred; unfortunately the night's rain had made the going very heavy, and this not only tired the men, who were heavily laden, but also proved difficult for the limbers, several of which stuck and had to be man-handled. At Beaulieu we had dinners and rested while parties reconnoitred the Canal crossings and discovered various pontoon bridges built by the Engineers soon after the attack. As no orders came, we waited here until soon after 3-0 p.m., when we were sent forward to support the 2nd Brigade on the right flank of the advance......... .............The C.O. with the right half Battalion crossed the Canal opposite Bois L'Abbaye, and pushed on into the village untroubled by shell fire, which was at the time mostly directed against the left half Battalion, which, with Battalion Headquarters, crossed further South. The country beyond was very thick, and by the time the left Companies reached L'Ermitage it was almost dark, and consequently communications were difficult between the two half Battalions, more particularly as the C.O. was separated from his runners and signallers. The Companies at L'Ermitage dug themselves in and were fairly comfortable, but they were not destined to remain so for long, for orders soon came that they would relieve the 2nd Brigade. These orders, however, were cancelled before being sent out, and instead the Brigade was ordered to relieve the 1st Brigade, who were on the left. The reason for this was that the 32nd Division, who were on the left of the Corps attack, had not yet reported the capture of all objectives, and it was consequently necessary to secure the 1st Division's left flank. While, therefore, the other two Battalions took over the line facing East, we found a defensive flank facing North—the Battalion being organized in depth on a single Company front. "A" Company (Snaith), with "B" Company (Pierrepont) in close support, was a few yards South of the main Catillon-La Groise Road; behind them came "C" Company (Banwell), while Battalion Headquarters and "D" Company (T. Ball) remained in Bois L'Abbaye. These positions we occupied all night............ ..............The weather the next day, the 7th of November, was fortunately much better, and we moved down to the Petite Helpe soon after dawn. Patrols had been out during the night to look for crossings, but beyond reporting that the main road bridge had been blown up, which we already knew, they gathered no information of importance, so "C" Company, who were leading, had to make use of tree trunks and cross as best they could. However, the Engineers soon appeared, and the rest of the Battalion crossed by a pontoon bridge. With the French on the right and Lincolnshires on the left, "D" Company (T. Ball) and "C" Company (Banwell) now pushed forward rapidly, and in spite of a thick mist had soon gained the first two objectives and reached the road running North and South through a group of houses called Cheval Blanc. Battalion Headquarters and the right half followed, and at midday were quartered in a group of farm houses about 600 yards West of Cheval Blanc, where they were joined by Capt. Hills, who returned from leave and resumed his duties as Adjutant. As soon as they had had dinners, "A" Company (Snaith) and "B" Company (Pierrepont) moved forward so as to be in closer support to "C" and "D" Companies respectively. After passing the second objective, the leading Companies soon began to meet with opposition, and a machine gun cleverly concealed at the next cross-roads made further advance by "C" Company impossible. As the Lincolnshires were similarly held up on their left, the flank could not be turned. "D" Company, however, pushed forward further in the mist, and, though there was plenty of machine gun fire, it was unaimed and did no damage. The leading Platoon, under 2nd Lieut. Bettles, crossed a valley and started to climb the rise beyond, on the top of which they expected to find the main Avesnes Road. Suddenly, as they burst through a hedge almost on the road, they came upon a German four gun field battery—officers and men standing round their guns, apparently not expecting any attack, and horses tethered near by. The platoon rushed in with bayonets, captured or killed all they could find and, led by 2nd Lieut. Bettles, dashed across the road into some houses on the far side, where they saw some enemy. 2nd Lieut. Bettles was killed with a pistol bullet, but the Boche were driven out, and Lieut. Ball came up and started at once to consolidate his captured position. One officer, 29 men and eight horses were sent down as prisoners. "D" Company's position was precarious. Right and left, German machine gunners held the main road, and shooting along it made crossing impossible, while at the same time they took care to prevent any attempt on our part to move the captured guns. This we found impossible, so set about rendering them useless, and had already removed breach block and sights from one when a counter attack was launched from the South East. This was beaten off, but Lieut. Ball, unable to find troops on either flank and already short of ammunition, sent back 2nd Lieut. S.D. Lamming on a captured horse to ask for help. Before, however, he could return, the enemy, intent on recapturing his guns, made two more counter attacks in rapid succession, in the second of which, after losing several men, including Bolton, who had never left his Platoon during four years' service, killed and L/Cpl. Thurman wounded, the little isolated party fired the last of its ammunition and had to withdraw. The Boche recaptured his battery, and, after firing one or two rounds into Cheval Blanc, took away the guns...... .........At 2-0 p.m., Battalion Headquarters moved up to Cheval Blanc, but the attacking Companies still reported that they were unable to advance, and, to add to our difficulties, we were not in touch with the French on our right nor could our patrols find any trace of them. On the whole of our front the enemy had probably not more than eight machine guns, but so cleverly were they placed and so well were they served that we found it impossible to dislodge them with our weapons. Artillery or better still Stokes mortars would no doubt have cleared the country very quickly, but these were not for the time obtainable, so, until they arrived, Col. Digan determined to make every effort to find the French and protect the right flank. Capt. Pierrepont was ordered to send out frequent patrols towards Etroeungt, and, as we now had no Battalion reserve, Col. Digan asked for two Companies of the 4th Battalion to help us. These soon arrived, and while one, Capt. Holden's, remained with us at Cheval Blanc, the other, Capt. Scaramowicz's, took up a defensive flank position along the Brigade Southern boundary. At last, just as it was getting dark, Capt. Pierrepont reported having found the French in Etroeungt, and so this flank was now secure, though it had cost us the loss of 2nd Lieut. Byles and Serjt. Stretton who were both wounded. In spite of this, the forward Companies were still unable to advance, and we remained in these positions all night. ...... At 2-0 p.m., Battalion Headquarters moved up to Cheval Blanc, but the attacking Companies still reported that they were unable to advance, and, to add to our difficulties, we were not in touch with the French on our right nor could our patrols find any trace of them. On the whole of our front the enemy had probably not more than eight machine guns, but so cleverly were they placed and so well were they served that we found it impossible to dislodge them with our weapons. Artillery or better still Stokes mortars would no doubt have cleared the country very quickly, but these were not for the time obtainable, so, until they arrived, Col. Digan determined to make every effort to find the French and protect the right flank. Capt. Pierrepont was ordered to send out frequent patrols towards Etroeungt, and, as we now had no Battalion reserve, Col. Digan asked for two Companies of the 4th Battalion to help us. These soon arrived, and while one, Capt. Holden's, remained with us at Cheval Blanc, the other, Capt. Scaramowicz's, took up a defensive flank position along the Brigade Southern boundary. At last, just as it was getting dark, Capt. Pierrepont reported having found the French in Etroeungt, and so this flank was now secure, though it had cost us the loss of 2nd Lieut. Byles and Serjt. Stretton who were both wounded. In spite of this, the forward Companies were still unable to advance, and we remained in these positions all night...... FOREIGN DECORATIONS. FRENCH. Légion d'Honneur (Officier C.H. Jones. Croix de Guerre (with palm) L.H. Pearson.Croix de Guerre (with silver star) A.D. Pierrepont J. Whitworth. Croix de Guerre (with bronze star) J.D. Hills W. Green. Medaille Militaire E. Angrave. Apologies for the lengthy post, but from it, it would appear that Whitworth was in B Company, which may help flesh out his information for you. Apologies also for not having the specific Dates, but it's a lengthy document and I wanted to post. You may be able to fit the Dates to the extracts to make it more comprehensiblem, but the extracts are in chronological sequence, I believe. Hope it helps EDIT: I also searched on "Whiworth" and found this (as well as the Foreign Decorations entry) ... At 6-0 p.m., just as the Boche started to fire gas shells into the valley up which all troops had to pass to reach Andigny les Fermes, orders came that we should take over the Brigade front. Accordingly, "A" and "D" Companies were sent to relieve the 4th Battalion on the right, "C" Company was made responsible for Andigny les Fermes, and the extreme left was held by "B" Company, whose duty it still was to find the French. The relief in the village might have been a very lengthy and difficult proceeding had not Capt. Nichols, of the Lincolnshires, taken great trouble to co-ordinate the work of all their three Companies, and so been able to hand over to Captain Banwell a single complete scheme of defence. Our Headquarters moved into the sunken road between Regnicourt and Vaux Andigny. It was a dark, foggy and bitterly cold night, and, experts as we had now become in the art of living in banks and sunken roads, still it was impossible to be comfortable, and German waterproof sheets spread over slots cut in the banks, failed most miserably to keep us warm. Transport arrived before midnight and the drivers, as usual, saved us endless carrying parties by taking the limbers right up to Company Headquarters in the village. They were unmolested by the enemy, and 2nd Lieut. Davies, seeing this, made another attempt to reach Mennevret. His patrol made much more progress, and was only held up at La Nation, a cross-roads a few hundred yards from his goal, but here he met with bombs and more machine guns and had once more to fall back. At 1-0 a.m., the 18th, we were ordered to take over the line on the East side of the village from a Battalion of the 1st Division, who had relieved the 6th Division and were now on our left flank. For this purpose the luckless "D" Company, who had just settled down after relieving the 4th Battalion, had to move across our front and take over the new line, which consisted of four large shell holes and a shallow sunken lane. In spite of the difficulties of darkness and fog, relief was complete before dawn when the 1st Division moved forward towards Wassigny, and we were able to look round our new sector. We found a ghastly relic in the sunken lane where a German cooks' wagon had been hit by one of our shells as it tried to escape, and now, in the early morning light, the scattered remains of wagon, horses and cooks, all smashed up, were a horrible sight. At last, at 5-30 a.m., 2nd Lieut. Davies and Serjt. Whitworth met the French near Mennevret, and after an enthusiastic exchange of greetings, accompanied by much handshaking, arrangements were made for establishing a line along the Nation road, and so cutting out the other two Brigades, who for some time past had been arguing vigorously as to whose duty it was to fill the gap between ourselves and the French. At the same time a single weak-looking Boche came out of the now completely surrounded Riquerval Wood and surrendered to "C" Company, into whose cellar Headquarters he was at once escorted. Here, while being questioned by two officers, neither of whom could speak German, he absent-mindedly picked up a German grenade which was lying on the floor, creating, of course, an immediate disturbance. Revolvers appeared on all sides, and the visitor's life was nearly ended, but as it was really absent-mindedness and not the fighting spirit which prompted him, peace was soon restored, and he explained that there were 24 others who wished to surrender. He wanted to go back and fetch them, and seemed in fact quite pained when we would not let him and sent him down instead. A few minutes later a battery of 8in. howitzers with tractors and motor lorries came along the main road as far as the end of the village, having been told that the road was clear up to Andigny les Fermes. The Colonel of R.G.A. who commanded was surprised to hear of the 24 Boche, who for all we knew might be within 100 yards of his lorries, but instead of withdrawing for the time, he set off with Capt. Banwell into the woods to look for them, happy as a schoolboy engaged in some forbidden adventure. They found no one, but probably, if there were any at all, they had by this time surrendered to the Staffordshires......... Any help? Edited 15 July , 2018 by KevinBattle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauline Haycock Posted 16 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 16 July , 2018 On 15/07/2018 at 12:11, Ron Clifton said: You could try writing to the Military Attache at the French Embassy, who might be able to help with the reason for the award. Foreign awards had to be gazetted if the recipients intended to wear them, which was not always the case. Citations were not normally included in the LG. Ron Thank you very much Ron. I will give it ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauline Haycock Posted 16 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 16 July , 2018 Thank you very much Ron. I will give it a go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauline Haycock Posted 16 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 16 July , 2018 On 14/07/2018 at 23:33, Bob Davies said: From the war diaries; next one; Thank you Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauline Haycock Posted 16 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 16 July , 2018 On 14/07/2018 at 23:15, clk said: Hi Pauline, WRT his Croix de Guerre I didn't see anything in the Division HQ (General Staff) or A&Q diaries. The Brigade HQ diary mentions the award "ceremony", but doesn't expand any further. It would seem from the index of "foreign awards" (unless I've misunderstood it) that his name should appear in the London Gazette of 21st July 1919. There won't be any citation though. My understanding is that from British records that are available you won't find anything relating to a citation/recommendation for the award. Whether there might be something in French records, I don't know. Though if the Bn history has been written up, I guess that it might say something. Image source: The National Archives - file WO 388/12/3 The TF was renumbered in 1917. His 6 digit number falls within the block allocated to the 5th Battalion. I can't be 100% certain in your case, but what you usually find is that men were renumbered sequentially based on their previous number. That means that you can often search for men from the same regiment that had near (re)numbers who do have surviving papers, and establish a pattern of original 'join up' dates from which you can make a reasonable inference. It might be worth going through the service record hits here to see if there is a pattern. Hopefully, a Leicestershire Regiment specialist will pick up on your post, correct my errors, and be able to give you chapter and verse. Regards Chris Thank you very much Chris. I will try to locate Leicestershire Regiment specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauline Haycock Posted 16 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 16 July , 2018 Are there any forum contacts out there with specialist knowledge of 1/5 Leicestershire Regiment B Company. If so I would be grateful for contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauline Haycock Posted 16 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 16 July , 2018 On 15/07/2018 at 05:47, KevinBattle said: He was initially assigned the Regimental Number 1569 before being renumbered as 240186. (Medal Index Card and Medal Roll on Ancestry) He arrived in France on 28 February 1915, which might indicate he was the early batch of volunteers completing training, or prior experience, but being born in 1896 (is that your Family Tree?) and disembodied (discharged) 11 April 1919) so unless he was given home leave prior to that might raise a question about daughter Dorothy who died in 1941. He was therefore entitled to the 1915 Star as well as the "usual" British War and Victory medals. He therefore served almost the whole period of WW1 and I would be surprised if he wasn't wounded at least once in all that time, rising to Corporal by the time of renumbering. As you've probably already discovered, his Service Record doesn't seem to have survived the WW2 bombing and if wounded, not severely enough to warrant a Pension Record or Silver War Badge. Sorry, can't add much else but as you didn't mention his previous Number, thought it worth adding. There are expert Pals who might deduce more from Service Numbers or other arcane means! Good luck and a man rightly to be proud of. I look forward to finding if the CdG was for something specific and not "with the rations" as it were. Hi Kevin, Thank you for replying. Uncle Jim was wounded on 10 September 1915 and had a wounded stripe. He did have leave and went back to UK where he was married. I think this was in 1918 but am not sure at present as the framed family tree is in UK and I am at present in France Dorothy was issue of his first marriage and I never really knew her. In any event he was back to fight at Riqueval Bridge/St Quentin and surrounding villages as it is recorded in the 1/5 Leicestershire War Diaries. I will 'soldier on' with my research in an endeavour find out more for when we attend the Centenary commemoration at Fresnoy le Grand on 11.11.1918. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Bob Davies Posted 25 July , 2018 Admin Share Posted 25 July , 2018 Hi Pauline, if you have not seen them, letters from the front by Capt J D Hills may give you something. Also a trip to London to view archives of casualty clearing etc might be your best bet for more. Good luck. Regards, Bob. https://ww1lettersfromthefront.wordpress.com/about/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 27 July , 2018 Share Posted 27 July , 2018 Hello. Does anyone recognize this metal container? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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