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

Remembered Today:

South Staffordshire Regt War Diaries


Roy Evans

Recommended Posts

2 of 4

post-336-1254678959.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 of 4

post-336-1254679150.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 of 4

post-336-1254679371.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

thanks I will change worrall to the 1st July which is staed in the obituary but CWGC says 10th. I see preece was a bomber command, 626 sqdn. Just incase you don't have it

Lancaster I NG224 on op to Koblenz. took off 1623 but obliged to turn back when the inner port engine failed. approaching base the crew wehere told to make for leeming in yorkshire but in the circumstances pilot continued his approach only to stall and crash . on impact lancaster exploded.

raid for rail communications.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lancaster I NG224 on op to Koblenz. took off 1623 but obliged to turn back when the inner port engine failed. approaching base the crew wehere told to make for leeming in yorkshire but in the circumstances pilot continued his approach only to stall and crash . on impact lancaster exploded.

Preece was a nephew of my late father and family legend wrongly had it that he died in the Battle of Britain. I didn't start reseaching him until recently and was not aware of your info.

I'll get you the required info on the 8th South Staffs in a few days as I'm away from home at the moment.

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rob,

He is not mentioned by name at any time in the war diary. He was born and enlisted in Wolverhampton and is buried in Niederzwehern cemetery, Germany. The odds are that he was captured in the German offensive of 21st March. Here is an extract from my book on the 1/6th and 2/6th Batt'ns due out later this year;

THE 2/6th OVERWHELMED

At 12.35 p.m. an un-named officer is known to have sent a final message from the battalion headquarters in the reserve line trenches to the effect that he was now alone and that the enemy was at the top of the dug-out steps, that he had burnt all papers and was smashing the instruments. The 2/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment had been all but obliterated.

Extracts from the Battalion war diary read as follows;

21st March 23 Officers and about 600 Other Ranks are 'Missing', including Lt. Col. J. Stuart-Wortley Capt. C.E.L. Whitehouse (Adjutant), Capt. W.A. Adam, Capt. W.A. Jordan, Capt. T.L. Astbury and Capt. W.S. Lynes, (Company Commanders), The following Officers are missing:- Lieut. W.T. Butler, Lieut. R.G. Boycott, Lieut. L.J. Shelton, 2/Lieut. H.P. Bunn, 2/Lieut. H.E. Shipton, 2/Lieut. H.W. Gregory, 2/Lieut. J.A. Geyton, 2/Lieut. R. Baxter, 2/Lieut. F.W. Spibey, 2/Lieut. C. Haworth, 2/Lieut. J.H. Hickman, 2/Lieut. T.A. Gough, 2/Lieut. C.A. ates, 2/Lieut. J. Bonshor, 2/Lieut. J. Rigby, 2/Lieut. H.E. Jones, and Capt. W.M. Christie, R. A. M. C. The Q. M. Stores and Transport moved from Dysart Camp at 5 p.m. by march route via Courcelles-les-Compte to Douchy where they bivouacked. Major H.M.C. Curtis proceeded to the line with details from the Transport Lines, a party of 2 Officers (2/Lieut. S.G. Maitland and 2/Lieut. S. Bradbury) and 50 O. R. including Band and specialists under training and held a portion of the front line of the Third System of Defence, East of Mory, until relieved at 4.00 a.m. on the 22nd.

When the roll was called after the fighting just six officers and eighty other ranks, mainly Bandsmen, were all that remained of 2/6th South Staffords. Of the officers listed as missing, Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart-Wortley, Captain Astbury and 2nd Lieutenants Jones and Rigby were dead, as were 106 other ranks, the remainder having been taken as prisoners of war.

Roy

Hi Roy

Thank you very much for looking for me and the info above

Regards

Rob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

would you have the diary for the 1st bn south staffords on the 5th july 1916.

looking at the death of pte e.j. bailey from bedworth

thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

would you have the diary for the 1st bn south staffords on the 5th july 1916.

looking at the death of pte e.j. bailey from bedworth

thanks

Oops! Just picked this one up. I'll have a look this evening.

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

would you have the diary for the 1st bn south staffords on the 5th july 1916.

looking at the death of pte e.j. bailey from bedworth

thanks

That page is missing from my copy of the diary!

Don't panic though, I'm due to go to the Regimental Museum on Friday and will get a copy then (assuming they don't gave the same page missing).

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

would you have the diary for the 1st bn south staffords on the 5th july 1916.

looking at the death of pte e.j. bailey from bedworth

thanks

I've just collected the missing page from the museum and will post over the weekend.

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Roy,

May I please request a look up for the days surrounding 13th November 1914, I am looking to start research on a relative and only have the following details, anything from the war diaries explaining exactly what the Battalion was involved in would be great.

He is Pte Charles Bradshaw 6210 2nd Bn South Staffordshire Regt Died 13-11-14 and he is buried at Hazebrouck Military Cemetery.

I must confess that I have not tried to look for them, so I am wondering are the war diaries available to download? If so, could you please advise their reference and I'll save you any trouble of extracting the relevant pages.

Many thanks if you can help,

Ian.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ian,

To the best of my knowledge the diaries are not available for download - yet. I'm in the process of transcribing them all as part of my website which will go live next year, then they will be freely available to everyone.

My copies came from the Regimental museum, I'm fairly sure that I have your dates already done and will have a look at home this evening.

I see that you're from S.E. Staffs, if ever you fancy visiting a meet of the South Staffs Pals (based in Wolves), you're more than welcome.

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ian,

To the best of my knowledge the diaries are not available for download - yet. I'm in the process of transcribing them all as part of my website which will go live next year, then they will be freely available to everyone.

My copies came from the Regimental museum, I'm fairly sure that I have your dates already done and will have a look at home this evening.

I see that you're from S.E. Staffs, if ever you fancy visiting a meet of the South Staffs Pals (based in Wolves), you're more than welcome.

Roy

Roy,

Many thanks for the reply.

As to the pals meeting offer, I'll see what I can do sometime, however work commitments often / always mean that the first Tuesday in each month is not possible for me.

Best regards,

Ian.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ian,

PM me your email addy and I'll send you the info.

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ian,

e-mail sent.

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

would you have the diary for the 1st bn south staffords on the 5th july 1916.

looking at the death of pte e.j. bailey from bedworth

thanks

July 1916 MAMETZ

1st 7.30 a.m; Attack launched. The attack was pushed forward very successfully and with very few casualties until the whole Battalion was in MAMETZ, where a large number of Germans were encountered. At 9.08 a.m. a message was received from O.C. ‘D’ company stating the Battalion was held-up on South side of MAMETZ and required reinforcements, the enemy being in strong numbers in the village. A Company of the 21st Manchester Regiment was sent to our support and at 11.20 a.m. we received a message stating that we had advanced to the North East corner of the village and were consolidating. We also held BRIGHT ALLEY with a small force.

Noon; The position of Companies was:- ‘C’ Company on the Right, making a strong point, ‘D’ Company in DANZIG ALLEY making a strong point with two Stokes Guns. ‘B’ Company on the Left Front.

2.00 p.m.; Battalion had gained and was consolidating the whole of its objective with the exception of BUNNY ALLEY.

3.10 p.m.; Battalion had to withdraw in line with the church as FRITZ TRENCH had not been captured.

5.30 p.m.; Battalion Headquarters moved up into MAMETZ and on reaching the village found that the Battalion’s final objective had not been captured. Major Morris, with great skill, at once reorganised all the troops in the village and allotted each a task, and sent the following message to Brigade ay 6.00 p.m. On reaching MAMETZ I found 80 men of the 2nd Gordons, two Companies of the R. Warwicks and about 1 ½ Companies of Manchesters with 500 South Staffords – The Colonel of the Gordons had not arrived and the general line held by the units was, DANZIG ALLEY from East to West, running through village. After a short conference I ordered the whole force to reorganise and advance to final objective and forthwith consolidate – this is now in progress. The final objectives were taken and held at about 7.40 p.m. During the operations about 150 prisoners and 2 machine guns were captured.

The following casualties occurred during the day’s fighting:-

KILLED: - 2/Lieut. (T/Capt) George White, 2/Lieut. Stanley Albert Webber, 2/Lieut. Percy Harvey Emberton.

DIED OF WOUNDS: - 2/Lieut. Warwick Hall.

WOUNDED:- Lieut. Eric Hindsley, Lieut. Reginald Lockyer Hibberdine, 2/Lieut. John Percival Lloyd, 2/Lieut. Godfrey Edward Holdsworth, 2/Lieut. William Henry Ratcliffe and 300 Other Ranks. Most of our casualties occurred after we had taken DANZIG ALLEY. During the action the Battalion captured Machine Guns and automatic Rifles, Portable Telephones, and a great quantity of stores of all kinds. During the night all was quiet and the work of consolidating was carried out under the command of Colonel Norman of the 21st Manchester Regiment – Patrols and Listening Posts were out in front all night.

2nd All quiet during the early hours of the morning.

12.50 a.m. A Company of Royal Irish Rifles moved up into the village to support us in case of counter attacks. Enemy occasionally shelled our trenches. Experienced difficulty in obtaining water for our men. Reorganised the Battalion and returned all stragglers from other units.

10.45 a.m. Received message from Brigade “The 17th Division will attack FRICOURT”

11.45 a.m. Enemy shelled us rather heavily but without causing casualties. The attack on FRICOURT seemed to be progressing favourably. Were again heavily shelled for 10 minutes at 4.45 p.m.

Estimated casualties during the day – 15 Other Ranks.

Received from Brigade. “The following messages have been received: - Sir Henry Rawlinson wires – Please convey to my friends 7th Division my best congratulations on their splendid work yesterday. It is a great pleasure to me once more to thank them for their determination and success. The Corps Commander has the greatest satisfaction in forwarding this – General Watts adds his congratulations and is prouder than ever of the old 7th Division – The Brigadier in forwarding these messages wishes to express to all ranks his gratitude and admiration of the splendid manner in which they carried out the task allotted to them. – The Commanding Officer wishes to add to these messages his deepest gratitude for the brilliant leadership and excellent work done by all ranks and thanks them sincerely for the prompt way in which all orders were carried out.

9.23 p.m. Received from Brigade – The 17th Division tonight hold FRICOURT FARM & FRICOURT WOOD. The situation was normal during the night.

3rd All was quiet during the early hours of the morning.

1.55 a.m. Message received from Brigade stating that 17th Division will capture RAILWAY ALLEY and BOTTOM WOOD and that the 21st Division will capture SHELTER WOOD and BIRCHTREE WOOD.

4.00 a.m. Relieved the Royal Warwicks in BUNNY ALLEY and held position as follows: - Three Companies (‘A’, ‘C’ & ‘D’) in BUNNY ALLEY. One Company (‘B’) in BUNNY TRENCH.

9.22 a.m. From our position we could see the progress of the 17th Division attack; at this hour half RAILWAY ALLEY was in our hands and we were still advancing with very little opposition. Estimated casualties during the day: – 5 Other Ranks.

6.50 p.m. Received message from Brigade saying that 17th and 21st Divisions had fulfilled their tasks, capturing a complete Battalion – about 800 strong including Colonel and Officers.

7.22 p.m. Battalion moved and held position in BOTTOM WOOD and trench in front of it. All quiet during the night.

4th 12.20 a.m. Royal Irish Rifles passed through our lines – we remained in position to support them if necessary.

9.55 a.m. Received report from all Companies that enemy was quiet and not showing himself.

12.25 p.m. Message received from Brigade stating that front line held by us would be relieved by 2nd Royal Warwicks – this carried out and we retired and held RAILWAY ALLEY & BUNNY ALLEY. Relief carried out with only three casualties. All quiet during the night.

5th All quiet during the early hours of the morning. 9.15 a.m. Had to withdraw ‘A’ Company on right from BUNNY ALLEY to BUNNY TRENCH owing to enfilade shell fire.

12.30 p.m. Received message from Brigade that Battalion could be relieved. Situation normal.

The Battalion was relieved under very heavy shell fire by the Welsh Division.

9.20 p.m. Reported to Brigade “Relief Complete2. We lost a few men during the relief. The Battalion proceeded to rest billets in BUIRE by platoons.

During the operations from the 1st July to the 5th July all ranks acquitted themselves with the greatest credit and worthily upheld the traditions of the Regiment to which they have the honour to belong. The following Officers, N.C.O.s and men behaved with the greatest gallantry. These Officers and Other Ranks have since the honour written against their name conferred upon them: -

2/Lieut. J. POTTER D.S.O. (this Officer has since died of wounds).

2/Lieut. (T/Capt.) J. SNAPE Military Cross,

2/Lieut. (T/Capt.) O.A. TUNNICLIFFE Military Cross,

No. 8860 C.S.M. BLYTHEWAY Military Cross (This W.O. has since been killed).

No. 8689 A/R.S.M. PARR, Military Cross,

No. 8765 Sergeant IMM D.C.M.

No. 5993 Sergeant W. TRUBY Military Medal,

No. 7022 L/Sergeant E. FAULKES Military Medal,

No. 8891 Corporal J. DALES Military Medal,

No. 19225 Private C. BUNCE Military Medal.

Sorry for the delay.

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ian,

e-mail sent.

Roy

Roy,

Many thanks, I've just gone to the 13th November 1914 and it seems reasonable for me to assume that Charles died as a result of wounds received in the events of the previous day. A reasonable assumption do you think? I was wondering if you could advise of the location of any other sources on information that might provide further detail?

Many thanks for what you sent and many thanks in advance if you can help with my further request for advice.

Best regards,

Ian.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Roy,

Many thanks, I've just gone to the 13th November 1914 and it seems reasonable for me to assume that Charles died as a result of wounds received in the events of the previous day. A reasonable assumption do you think? I was wondering if you could advise of the location of any other sources on information that might provide further detail?

Many thanks for what you sent and many thanks in advance if you can help with my further request for advice.

Best regards,

Ian.

I'll see what else I can do when I get home at the weekend.

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll see what else I can do when I get home at the weekend.

Roy

Roy,

:thumbsup:

Thank you, that is very much appreciated.

All the best,

Ian.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ian,

As a point of order, according to CWGC, Charles Bradshaw is buried in Hazebrouck COMMUNAL Cemetery, plot III A 20.

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ian,

As a point of order, according to CWGC, Charles Bradshaw is buried in Hazebrouck COMMUNAL Cemeterty, plot III A 20.

Roy

Roy,

You are quite right, I have just double checked all five to ensure that I had typed correctly and also noticed that Raymond Sutton is buried in Houchin British Cemetery. Lack of attention to detail, I cannot believe that in all the times I've looked at my signature details that those two errors have not leapt out at me.

Many thanks for the pointer... one signature edit about to be typed!

Ian.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ian,

Sorry, I don't have anything else to report other than the stuff on CWGC and SDGW which I presume that you already have.

Roy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ian,

Sorry, I don't have anything else to report other than the stuff on CWGC and SDGW which I presume that you already have.

Roy

Roy,

Many thanks for looking, I appreciate the effort.

All the best,

Ian. :poppy:

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...