SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Hi There, I'm interested in a man KIA 16-11-14. Could anyone please shed any light on their whereabouts on this day, and in what action he may have been killed in ? Very Best Wishes Tim.
CROONAERT Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 I'm interested in a man KIA 16-11-14. Could anyone please shed any light on their whereabouts on this day, and in what action he may have been killed in ? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Near St.Yves - I think! Dave.
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Hi Dave, Many thanks for the information. Where is that and to do with what battle ? Sorry for being so thick !!!!! But 1914 is just a mystery to me. I've bought several books on the subject to improve my Knowledge, but I just haven't had time !! A poor excuse, but the truth !! Cheers Tim.
anthonyl Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim Dave is correct they were indeed in ST Yves, they had just come from Ploegsteert Wood to releive the Somerset Light Infantry. The entry for that period in the 1st RB War diary reads: 13th Nov - A certain amount of shelling and a good deal of sniping experienced along the road east of the village. A lot of work to be done joining up the trenches, making communication trenches and wiring. 14th -18th Nov. -Worked steadily by night and sapped by day to improve the position. Trenches deepened in places, joined up by means of communication trenches, wire put out and a line of supporting trenches about 50 yards in rear of the original line started. 19th Nov. Relieved by Dublin Fusiliers in evening and returned to billets in Ploegsteert. Hope this helps -if you need anymore info let me know, I have quite a lot on the 1st RBs Anthonyl
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Hi Anthony That is brilliant, thank you very much for the trouble you've gone too !! Does it say how many casualties there were during this period, also do you know when the 1st arrived in France and Flanders ? Lastly, when were they first involved in action ? Sorry for all the questions !! Cheers Tim.
stiletto_33853 Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim, Wouldn't have to do with the Victory Medal on Speedbid would it. Andy
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Hi Andy, Might do ! Glad to get it, was worried you'd be back for it !!!! Cheers Tim
stiletto_33853 Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim, Had to go out or else I would have been back for it You were asking about the 1st 5th August 1914, Received orders to mobilize 6-9th August 1914, Mobilization 10 - 17 th August 1914, Training at Colchester 18th August, 4th Division concentrated at Harrow 22nd August 1914, Battalion left Harrow by train 2.34am and embarked Southampton in S.S. Cestrian and arrived at Havre 10pm same night. Strength 24 Ofiicers, 964 other ranks. 23rd August, Disembarked at 3.20am Marched to No3 Rest Camp on heights above Havre. If you need more let me know Tim Andy
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Hi Andy, Great information, very many thanks ! I did wonder why you didn't come back for it at that price. I was worried that you knew something I didn't !! One thing I would like to know if you have the information, is where was the 1st's Recruiting Hall and is it still there ?
anthonyl Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim 1st RBs disembarked SS Cestrian at Le Harvre 23th Aug 1914 Battalion strength 24 Officers 964 Other Ranks and proceeded to Le Cateau via Rouen and Amiens Their first action was 26th Aug at Catteniers Diary Entry Battle of August 26th (1914) Position of Battalion at daybreak on the 26th. Battalion less C Coy on track on track (sic) leading N.W. from FONTAINE – AU – PIRE. C Company on Outposts at CATTENIERES. About 5.00 am the Outposts saw German Cavalry and Artillery moving towards CATTENIERES. The Brigade was “standing to arms” and was ordered to retire and take up a position on the hill at CARRIERES just S.W. of FONTAINE – AU – PIRE covered by the R.B. General direction of retirement was to be on HAUCOURT. The Battalion extended and lined the ridge just N. of the track where they had bivouacked. The Germans opened their attack with Artillery and except for a few Cavalry near the village no other hostile troops came into action at first. When the remainder of the Brigade and the baggage was clear the Battalion began to retire slowly, the left going back first and covering the retirement of he right companies. The retirement was carried out slowly and methodically under shellfire and rifle fire; the enemy sending troops onto the ridge vacated by our men as soon as they were clear. The Battalion closed in a sunken road running E & W across the hill at CARRIERS with I Coy on their left in the track running N & S across the hill. Here the Battalion was at first in reserve, but owing to other troops being driven back from north side of hill, C Coy were sent forward to occupy the position and the Battalion was in the firing line. The field of fire was very small and we could do nothing but lie still and be shelled most of the time. This was the position from about 8.20 am to about 2.45 pm with the S.L.I., who had retired behind the railway, and the HANTS and E. LANCS mostly in reserve just S. of the bridge over the railway, but with about 2 companies each more or less engaged in the firing line W of the track running N & S across the railway and hill. Very few German Infantry showed themselves and they appeared unwilling to come on, but the hill was swept with a heavy fire from field guns and Machine Guns. About 2.45 p.m. the Brigade was ordered to retire on LIGNY; HANTS and E. LANCS first, followed by S.L.I. and R.B. I Coy were first of R.B. ordered back & retired down lane and across railway track. By this time the HANTS and E. LANCS had started up the hill towards LIGNY and the Germans realising what was happening redoubled their fire. The other three Coys then retired more or less at the same time and suffered heavily from shell and rifle fire, enfilade fire from the direction of FONTAINE – AU – PIRE being especially troublesome. The Church at LIGNY was given as a rendezvous and shortly after arrival there the enemy were reported in the N.E. end of the village. The Battalion was now split up. The majority under Lieut. Col. Biddulph marched via CAULLERY and took up a covering position at SELVIGNY afterwards moving via MALINCOURT – LE CATELET where there was a long halt - VENDHUILLE –TEMPLEUX – HESBECOURT arriving there about 10.00 a.m. 27th Meanwhile Captains Nugent, Prittie and Brownlow had collected about 100 men at the Church at LIGNY and starting out met the B.G.C. (Brigadier General Commanding?) with about 700 men belonging to other regiments of the Brigade. They marched S.W. but getting blocked by 3rd Division, turned and spent the night at SELVIGNY. Left there 2.00 a.m. 27th and marched via BEAUREVOIR to NAUROY which was reached at 5.30 a.m. They were shelled out and left at 10.30 a.m. and after unsuccessfully trying to engage the guns marched via BELLICOURT to BILLERET where the 3rd Div. detached a battery and two Btns. to deal with their pursuers who then drew off. The party then marched via LE VERGUIER – VENDELLES – SAYECOURT- CAULANCOURT to TERTRY where they rejoined the Battalion on the march on the night 27th/28th. A bit long winded but hope it helps - there are no mention of casualty figures in the Diaries until the following month Regards Anthonyl
stiletto_33853 Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim, The 1st were at Peninsula Barracks, Winchester. The Rifle Brigades home when in the UK, a replacement barracks built in 1905 after their old barracks caught fire, they moved to Gosport whilst these were being built. Yes it is still there, part of it now houses the Royal Green Jackets museum. Re their first action, they were well involved in the retreat from the 25th. They were involved in seeing of enemy Cavalry patrols at Cattenieres on the 26th (C Company). On the 24th they took a lot of shots at an enemy aircraft with their rifles. Andy
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Hi Anthony, Thanks mate, I know what a pain it is to type that amount of information. I can't tell you how grateful I am. It was not long winded at all. It was fascinating !! Cheers Tim.
stiletto_33853 Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim, Also no mention of casualties in the Regimental History or the Rifle Brigade Chronicles. Andy
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Hi Andy, That is quality information. I shall make a trip down there soon and take some photo's !! I shall enjoy doing all the research very much. I've found him on the 1901 census and will take it from there. If you're interested I'll Email you the research when I've finished !! Cheers Tim.
stiletto_33853 Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim, No details of casualties, however, the 1st reinforcement of the 1st Btn totalled 104, no mention of when that was though. During 1914 they received the following reinforcements 55 officers 1 W.O. 59 Sergeants 62 Corporals 16 Buglers 1748 Riflemen. Andy
stiletto_33853 Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim, That would be great for my database, many thanks. Also if you need any more info let me know. Andy
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Hi Andy, That is unbelievable !! That makes me realise how badly the ' Old Contempibles ' were mauled !! I'm glad I wasn't one of their Officers as that does not make good reading, but none of it does to be honest !! As I said, I'll enjoy the research but I don't give much to my chances of finding out if ' Reeve' was there from the start or a replacement !! Although I'm not bothered either way, his sacrifice is just the same !! Cheers Tim.
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim, That would be great for my database, many thanks. Also if you need any more info let me know. Andy <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Andy, No Problem mate, it will be a pleasure ! Cheers Tim.
stiletto_33853 Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim, His number as I recall indicates regular, not recalled and number reallocated as this would have been a B prefix if recalled or served before, so the chances are he was their from the start. His MIC should confirm this. Andy
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Hi Andy, Thanks again ! Being an idiot I'm afraid when it comes to MIC's, How will his card prove this ? Will it give an actual date of going abroad ? Cheers Tim.
stiletto_33853 Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Tim, Yes, it should show the date he served overseas from and theatre. Andy
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Hi Andy, Very many thanks for all the time and effort you've put into this thread tonight, I really appreciate it !! Cheers Tim.
stiletto_33853 Posted 28 June , 2005 Posted 28 June , 2005 Tim, If you care to send me your mail, I have just gone through my Rifle Brigade Chronicles again to find a piece by Brigadier General F. Burnell-Nugent who was the commander of "A" Company. The piece is called "The experiences of a Company Commander in August/September 1914 and is quite detailed on the 1st's experiences in this period. Thought it might help you with your research. Andy
Jerrymurland Posted 13 August , 2009 Posted 13 August , 2009 Andy i'd be very interested in the piece by Burnell-nugent as well. Do you have the officer casualties for August 25th At Caudry? Jerry
stiletto_33853 Posted 13 August , 2009 Posted 13 August , 2009 Hi Jerry, Send me a pm with your e-mail address and I will get it over to you, away from a lot of my 1st RB material at the moment but will get it to you over the weekend. Can I ask what your interest is in this action and the C.O. Andy
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