Martin Rob Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 I wonder if anyone can suggest the relevant war diaries I could look at to locate my relative. He started as a private in the Honorable Artillery Company (service number 1704) on 26 August 1914. His date of entry into France was 18 September 1914 until 16 December 1914. The London Gazette under Military Promotions, Line Battalions showed him commissioned as Temp 2nd Lieut. 22 July 1915 in 15th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant. I cannot actually locate a "15th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers" at TNA. It is also reported he lost a leg during the war. Any suggestions for war diaries welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 Hi As they were a "home" battalion there will not be a war diary as such. from Northumberland Fusiliers – The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk) 15th (Reserve) Battalion Formed in Darlington in October 1914 as a Service battalion, part of K4. November 1914 : came under orders of 89th Brigade, original 30th Division. 10 April 1915 : became a Reserve battalion. September 1916 : absorbed into Training Reserve Battalions in 1st Reserve Brigade. regards Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 I assume from the information in your post that 'your man' is Francis Tom Robinson. I don't know if you have seen the attached information. (all images courtesy of Find My Past) As you can see, his record card shows that he was in the 16th Service Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. His MIC says the 15th Battalion -- needs checking further?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 3 hours ago, Martin Rob said: It is also reported he lost a leg during the war. Any suggestions for war diaries welcome. If your man is Francis Tom Robinson, I have checked the pension records on Fold3 but there isn't anything for him. This would suggest that he didn't 'lose a leg' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 (edited) 25 minutes ago, Allan1892 said: As you can see, his record card shows that he was in the 16th Service Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. His MIC says the 15th Battalion -- needs checking further?? F. T. ROBINSON - Transferred from a Northumberland Fusiliers Reserve Bn [15 presumably] to a Service Bn [16 presumably] 3 Aug 1916 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29693/supplement/7663 LLT has: 16th (Service) Battalion (Newcastle) Formed at Newcastle in September 1914 by the Newcastle & Gateshead Chamber of Commerce. June 1915 : came under orders of 96th Brigade, 32nd Division. Landed at Boulogne 22 November 1915. February 1918 : disbanded in Belgium. 16 NF WD at the National Archives http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7353775 :-) M Edited 22 May , 2021 by Matlock1418 additions relating to 16 NF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 Could be the answer Matlock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 15 minutes ago, Allan1892 said: If your man is Francis Tom Robinson, I have checked the pension records on Fold3 but there isn't anything for him. This would suggest that he didn't 'lose a leg' Not necessarily nor hadn't been alternatively wounded - though I couldn't find a pension card either. London Gazette has: North'd Fus. Temp. Lt. F. T. Robinson relinquishes his commission on .account of ill-health caused by wounds, 16 Mar. 1919, and retains the rank of Lt, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31233/supplement/3573 :-) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 Service Papers at National Archives: Lieutenant Francis Tom ROBINSON The Northumberland Fusiliers. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1089236 Unfortunately not digitised. :-) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 Hi Martin, The index of long numbers also indicates the 16th Bn His service file is here. The Battalion war diary is here. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 On 22/05/2021 at 20:29, Matlock1418 said: Not necessarily nor hadn't been alternatively wounded - though I couldn't find a pension card either. London Gazette has: North'd Fus. Temp. Lt. F. T. Robinson relinquishes his commission on .account of ill-health caused by wounds, 16 Mar. 1919, and retains the rank of Lt, The Army and Navy Gazette (29 September 1917) reported that he (amongst others) had been wounded. (image courtesy of Find My Past) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toontraveller Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 (edited) The 16 th Battalion , Northumberland Fusiliers were known as “ Newcastle Commercials” the first volunteer Battalion in Newcastle upon Tyne , raised and funded by the Newcastle and Gateshead joint chambers of commerce, the majority of the first volunteers were filled from the commercial men working in the centre of Newcastle or the Quayside. Ian Johnstone after years of research wrote and published a great book “ Newcastle Commercials , 16 th Service Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers ( The story of Newcastles very first volunteer Battalion of the Great War) , published about 2015 2 nd Lt. T Robinson is mentioned in the nominal roll as having joined the 16 th Battalion and being wounded but that’s all no other details. Appears not to have been on the original nominal roll when they embarked for France, they disembarked at Boulogne on 22 nd November 1915. Edited 22 May , 2021 by Toontraveller Spelling error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 War diary for the 16th battalion shows Lt Robinson as 'wounded' between the 3rd and 9th August 1917 (image courtesy of Ancestry) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toontraveller Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 Allan1892 , Beat me to it 😀 I’ll go back to my research now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toontraveller Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 War Diary, records:- 2 nd Lt. F.T Robinson reported for duty with the 16 th Battalion on the 19 th June 1917. ( courtesy of TNA) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 22 May , 2021 Share Posted 22 May , 2021 Toontraveller -- I need Specsavers!! Didn't see the 19th June when I had a quick look at the diaries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Rob Posted 24 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 24 May , 2021 Gentlemen, thank you very much for this information which certainly answers questions I had about Francis Tom Robinson. I see that the 16th Battalion NF were disbanded on 7th February 1918 at Larry Camp. As Lt "Frank" remained in the NF until discharge due to ill health on 16 March 1919, where might he have been transferred to after the Battalion disbanded? I will see if I can get a copy of his service papers from TNA when I can. Best wishes, Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toontraveller Posted 24 May , 2021 Share Posted 24 May , 2021 The 16 th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers remained Northumberland Fusiliers. A Company were posted to the 4 th Battalion, B Company to the 5 th Battalion , C Company to the 6 th Battalion and D Company to the 7 th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Sorry not sure which Company he was with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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