Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Capt William Paterson Bristowe KRRC and Tank Corps


tanks3

Recommended Posts

I am currently researching the above officer and require a little assistance please.  Capt Bristowe joined the KRRC as a pre-war officer. He served with them throughout WW1 raising to the rank of Lt. Col.  After the war he transferred to the Tank Corps with the rank of Captain.  From my research i have ascertained that he was wounded on 26 September 1916 at Flers on the Somme whist serving with the 2nd Battalion KRRC.  My first question is can anyone give me any detail as to what 2/KRRC were upto on that day anf if the war diary mentions him being wounded.

 

I have a fair amount of research on his time with the Tank Corps but have not been able to establish when he retired (I know he was on the list of reserve of officers in 1946 with the rank of Major) or if he has WW2 service.  Any help here also appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Tanks3

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He is mentioned in the War Diary. Might be an idea to message Mark, I am sure he will have more detail on him.

 

Andy

Screen Shot 2019-09-03 at 12.53.31.png

Edited by stiletto_33853
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This should give you an idea of what they were doing.

Screen Shot 2019-09-03 at 13.13.13.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He seems to have been in the wars a bit, metaphorically speaking. There are three woundings mentioned in local papers

 

bristowe-wounding3.jpg.2fd9629985fb0d40d4337802afc9f067.jpg

 

bristowe-wounding.jpg.ff1d6bad8cf9eb364e224a18f08f1908.jpg

bristowe-wounding2.jpg.601f75c40d680d37ca8c97f9679cb92e.jpg

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32744/page/6442 shows restored to KRRC in 1922.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32761/page/7537 retires

This date - 21/10/22 is the same that appears in several army lists during WW2 and appear to be him.

WP Bristowe appear in army lists 1939-45 KRRC Major, Not sure how much he actually did or whether he was on the reserve

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37951/supplement/2112 is when he is finally taken off the list of Reserve of Officers having exceeded the age limit.

Edited by Mark1959
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On a War Office causalty list 27/9/15 and 6/10/15. Ditto 12/1/15.

One ref says LG 2712/18 MiD. Not found the Gazette entry

 

1918 at age 24 years 3 months. Major. 4 years 2 months service.1 year 8 months in field force. Enteritis admitted 139th Fld Amb. 25/4/18. 18th battn KRRC

Edited by Mark1959
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mark

 

Really grateful to you.  Solves the mystery of why I couldn't find him after 1922 - I was looking at the Tank Corps not realising he returned to KRRC. That just finishes the story off, thank you

 

Tanks3

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To finish off FMP have an original admission book to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital At Millbank. Admitted 9/10/16. Left 28/10/16 to another hospital (Radley or Ridley). Grade IX GSW leg - think that means severe. https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FMH106%2FMH106-1776%2F0035&parentid=GBM%2FMH106%2FP2%2F034416

 

He followed the same path in 1915 - ending QAMH Millbank and then Radley/Ridley. GSW Foot. To QAMH 6/10/15 and moved on 20/10/15

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FMH106%2FMH106-1660%2F0042&parentid=GBM%2FMH106%2F035528

 

And also the early one that seems to say he ended up at "Lady Ridley". Admitted QAMH on 13/1/15 and moved on 4/2/15. GSW Scalp.

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FMH106%2FMH106-1657%2F0011&parentid=GBM%2FMH106%2FP2%2F510194

Edited by Mark1959
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, stiletto_33853 said:

He is mentioned in the War Diary. Might be an idea to message Mark, I am sure he will have more detail on him.

 

Andy

 

 

4 hours ago, tanks3 said:

Thank you very much stiletto.  I am grateful to you.  Not sure who you mean when you say to message Mark.

 

Tanks3

 

That would be me :D

 

Photo of Bristowe from summer 1914 ...

1718956284_LtWilliamBRISTOWE2-KRRCphototakenatBlackdownon11thAug1914.jpg.c1c904f032e60b1688766d77c1743853.jpg

Apologies for the poor quality.

 

I have sent you a PM - I've researched this fellow Gallovidian for the Stewartry RoH Project.  What's your interest?

 

Mark

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Speak of the devil in a redcoat and he will appear:ph34r:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks so much chaps.  I am amazed by the speed in which my questions have been dealt with and receiving such full answers.  Bristowe will form part of a talk I am preparing entitled "Sporting Tankies".

 

Tanks3

Link to comment
Share on other sites

William Paterson BRISTOWE

 

 
Born 17 Jul 1894.
 
Cheltenham College.  Sandhurst.
 
He was commissioned into 2nd Battalion, KRRC, on 25 Feb 1914, however he is recorded as not joining the battalion in France until 29 Nov 1914.  This is corroborated by the Embarkation Date on his Medal Index Card - also 29 Nov 1914.  He may have remained in Blighty to assist with the Service Battalions (my speculation only).  There seems to have been some debate as to whether he was entitled to the 1914 ("Mons") Star or not, 23 Nov 1914 was the cut-off date, and I'm not sure at the moment how this was resolved.
 
He was temp Lieutenant 20 Dec 1914 to 03 Mar 1915 when he was promoted to full Lieutenant.
 
He was wounded at Cuinchy on 10 Jan 1915 in an attempt to recapture positions lost on 31 Dec 1914 in a line between Cambrin and Cuinchy between the La Bassee Canal and the Bethune-La Bassee road.
 
He rejoined the battalion on 16 May 1915.
 
He was again wounded on the first day of the Battle of Loos on 25 Sep 1915.  2/KRRC were attacking towards the Chalk Pit and Puits 14 Bis about half way between Loos and Hulluch.  Their first attack faltered because the British gas was blown back into the attacking companies and then they were stopped by uncut wire in front of the German first trench.  They withdrew back to their jumping-off trenches launching a more successful attack in the afternoon when the units to their left had weakened the enemy flank.  By dusk they had reached just to the east of the Loos-Hulluch road and dug in.  During this Action, Rfn Peachment won the VC.
 
Bristowe did not rejoin the battalion until 02 Sep 1916 so he must have been quite seriously wounded at Loos.  2/KRRC had then just gone into bivouac at Black Wood after a spell at High Wood on The Somme.
 
This period with 2/KRRC was even shorter however, as he was wounded again on 26 Sep 1916 in the line about halfway between Flers and Le Sars.  The battalion was trying to widen its front by bombing down the German trenches in the direction of Flers from about 11 p.m.  About forty yards was gained after a desperate struggle and heavy losses.
 
He was promoted to Captain effective 25 Aug 1916.
 

I next spot Bristowe in Jan 1917 as an ADC to the Divisional Commander, 65th Division, Home Forces on the Army HQ Staff.  This secondment finishes 17 Aug 1917.  This division was in Ireland at this time.

 

He appears to have returned to field duties with 21/KRRC in the autumn of 1917, but I cannot find further detail.  21/KRRC was disbanded in the Spring of 1918 and on 16 Mar 1918 Maj. Bristowe was transferred to 18/KRRC.  I have information Bristowe definitely served in Italy, so this was presumably with 21/KRRC.

 
In Jan 1918 he's promoted to Acting Major, KRRC, and he is made up to a Temporary Major, KRRC, on 20 Jan
 
On 24 Mar 1918 he is OC 'A' Coy, 18th Battalion (Arts & Crafts) KRRC near Bapaume facing the German Kaiserschlacht.  At 10:00hrs on that day, Lt.-Col R. Pennell, DSO, the battalion commander is wounded and Major Bristowe assumes command.  The ensuing few days see the battalion face the full force of the Offensive and dwindle down to a mere 80 Other Ranks, but they do not let the enemy through.  Bristowe becomes acting Lt.-Col. on 07 Apr 1918.
 
This command was short-lived though, as he hands over to Lt.-Col Sir J.V.E. Lees on 24 Apr 1918 and Bristowe reverted back to Temporary Major..
 
He finished the war with 18/KRRC with whom he was also Mentioned in Despatches as a temporary Major on 28 Dec 1918, the link to this Gazette has already been posted by Pal HarryBrook higher up.

 

I then find him serving as a Staff Captain (still a temporary Major) attached to Headquarters Units at various times through 1919.  This posting seems to begin on 05 Apr 1919.
 
In Dec 1919 the KRRC Chronicle has him as OC 'C' Company of 20th Battalion (British Empire League Pioneers) KRRC in Germany and back as a Captain again.  By this time 20/KRRC was a standard infantry battalion, no longer Pioneers.
 
In 1921 he is seconded to the Tank Corps and made back up to a temporary Major while commanding a Company.  There is also a Bovington Camp, Tank Corps address on his MIC.
 
I next find him rejoining 2/KRRC as a Captain on 18 Jul 1922 in the BAOR at Cologne.
 
He resigns his commission on 21 October 1922.
 
I can find no active WW2 service for him with the KRRC, but he listed as Major, KRRC, in the Regular Reserve of Officers in the 1937 Army List, so may have been recalled to the Colours.
 
He is not mentioned in any of the boxing reports in KRRC Chronicle.
 
He died on 27 Mar 1958.  Unfortunately there is no obituary in the contemporary KRRC Chronicles, nor in The Times.  There might be something in the local Sussex or Galloway papers.
 
 
I'd be very interested in any info re his time in the Tank Corps etc.
 
Cheers,
Mark
 
Edited by MBrockway
Typo in date of Flers 1916 wounding - thanks Andy!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, Mark1959 said:

To finish off FMP have an original admission book to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital At Millbank. Admitted 9/10/16. Left 28/10/16 to another hospital (Radley or Ridley). Grade IX GSW leg - think that means severe. https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FMH106%2FMH106-1776%2F0035&parentid=GBM%2FMH106%2FP2%2F034416

 

He followed the same path in 1915 - ending QAMH Millbank and then Radley/Ridley. GSW Foot. To QAMH 6/10/15 and moved on 20/10/15

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FMH106%2FMH106-1660%2F0042&parentid=GBM%2FMH106%2F035528

 

And also the early one that seems to say he ended up at "Lady Ridley". Admitted QAMH on 13/1/15 and moved on 4/2/15. GSW Scalp.

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBM%2FMH106%2FMH106-1657%2F0011&parentid=GBM%2FMH106%2FP2%2F510194

 

Lady Ridley's Hospital For Officers was at 10 Carlton House Terrace in St James.  Modern postcode SW1Y 5AH.

 

It was affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital (QAMH) at Millbank.

 

Good info in this article: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/BAR24-08-Syrett.pdf

 

Also here: Lost Hospitals of London - Lady Ridley's Hospital for Officers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...