Col. C. W. Trotter, 2/1st South Notts. Hussars Yeomanry

[nicktamarensis]

Hello.

The above was chairman of the Hull & Barnsley Railway from 1914 until 1922 and as part of an ongoing history of the company I am seeking a bit more about his war service and in particular his appointment as 'Commandant of Arras' from March 1916.  What were his duties and did he retain this posting for the remainder of the war? Given the proximity of the town to the front line after its recapture by the French in September 1914, one imagines the duty was not without considerable danger - especially as the town suffered from bombing and shellfire for most of the war and was badly damaged by the end in November '18. One can probably guess at some of his duties - security and transport (road and rail) being but two of a long list of responsibilities heightened presumably during the Arras Offensive in April/May '17 and also repelling the German Mars Offensive in late March 1918.

Any facts would be very welcome.

Nick.

[HarryBrook]

Nick,

I hope the following London Gazette notifications do not cause any confusion in relation to any information you already have on Col. Charles William Trotter.

I could not see any notice of him being appointed Commandant of Arras, but he was the subject of a Special Appointment effective 25 May 1917  https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30193/supplement/7405  The duties associated with this appointment are not known.

I could not see any notice of him relinquishing this Special Appointment or the position of Commandant of Arras, but he was appointed as an Inspector of War Trophies on 1 March 1919 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31400/supplement/7538 No notice found of the termination of this particular appointment.

 

He was promoted to Colonel on 5 August 1918 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31838/supplement/3741 

and retired on 30 August 1921 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32439/supplement/6837

 

If you do not already have them, he collected a few honours and awards along the way -

Twice Mentioned in Despatches  https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30421/supplement/12921 see page 12907 for details of the despatch

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30691/supplement/5953 see page 5941 for details of the despatch.

Companion of the Order of the Bath, King's Birthday Honours 1918 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30716/supplement/6451

The Croix de Guerre (France) https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32113/supplement/10743

 

I cannot comment on your original question - the duties of a town commandant. 

Harry

 

 

 

[Steven Broomfield]

Not unsurprisingly, the Regimental History has a lot about him. He first joined the regiment in January 1888.

 

Do you have access to a copy? If not, just shout and I'll provide a synopsis.

[nicktamarensis]

Thank you very much gentlemen. 

Chris Hazard of the South Notts Museum has kindly provided me with extracts from the regimental history where these mention Trotter.  P286 of the history mentions the posting to Arras as 'Commandant' and also his later award of CB but nothing else.   Chris Hazard does not have any further info on the topic either, but would welcome any additional input. 

Nick.

 

[nicktamarensis]

I see the June '18 CB award was for 'Military Operations in France and Flanders' - might this be a clue to support the statement in the history?

Nick.