2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 1897-1919

[Lincolnsreg]

Hi everyone.

I am currently researching the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment from 1897 to 1919. I don't suppose there's anyone out there with personal family stories or recollections ... or even diaries are there?

I have retrieved a lot of data from the Imperial War Museum, Lincolns Reg Museum, national archives, liddle collection etc, but am now looking for more personal accounts to help tie in more details.

Hope you can help,

Regards,

Dave

[DaveBrigg]

Hi Dave

Welcome to the forum. Great to see another member interested in the Lincs Regt. I'm sure you will have a lot of replies, but I'll start you off.

I'm researching the men listed on the school war memorial of what was once Brigg Grammar. One of our casualties is 2nd Lt William Nainby, reported missing 27th May 1918. From his N/A file I think he was with the 2nd Lincs, and attached to the 62nd LTM Battery.

His father didn't want to give up hope that his son was still alive, and wrote to the War Office in 1919 about a rumour that a Lincs officer had been seen working in a Russian mine on the Baltic Coast. A letter from Lt Col Lloyd of the 2nd Lincs was quoted, stating that 'although fighting in the same area as ourselves, nothing has been seen of any of this battery'. A Captain Soosch had also written to Mr Nainby, saying 'your son was last seen in the front line leaving a dugout in close contact with the enemy & eye witnesses are of accord that he was taken prisoner.' Nainby's servant was a man named 'Wydle', who may be this one from the MIC

Medal card of Wydell, Charles R

Corps Regiment No Rank

Lincolnshire Regiment 7225 Private

Lincolnshire Regiment 202998 Private

The War Office reply poured scorn on the idea of his survival - 'it has been found that no credence can be placed in rumours such as you quote'. It then listed men from the 62nd LTM Bty taken prisoner on May 27th 1918 and since repatriated.

LV434 (very faint) M B Barrow, 1st Lincs

235482 F Egatt, 1st Lincs

8869 C Ashton, 9381 C S M C Berryman, 44938 G H Billet, 203729 C E Chinn, 31826 H Doades and 42907 A Naley, all 2nd Lincs.

Any use to you?

Dave

(PS, can I plug two events coming up soon. Tomorrow (Friday) there is an informal get-together of some of the Lincs and Hull forum Pals in Brigg. PM or look at the Lincolnshire Pals thread for more info.

Next Tuesday our very own Chris will be giving a talk in Brigg about the 1/5th Lincs. I think he is too modest to promote this himself, but a similar talk in Scunthorpe was by all accounts a great success.)

[Lincolnsreg]

Hi Dave, thanks for that fantastic information. What an interesting story!. Wouldn't it be wonderful to try and solve the mystery after all these years. I don't understand why they replied in scorn - it is certainly not impossible that such an occurance could have happened. The battalion was certainly decimated on that day - as well ast the attached LTM batterys. The 2nd Bn diary reads:

"27th May 1918

FRONT LINE TRENCHES 1am

The Enemy opened a heavy bombardment of Gas and other shells which continued until about 4am. At this hour, under a thick smoke screen, the Enemy attacked, and apparently broke through the line to the Right of the sector held by the Battn, who seem to have been almost immediately surrounded. Two officers and about 30 Other Ranks only, getting away. The Nucleus party and Transport moved back to a point (approx) 1½ miles S.E. of BOUVANCOURT. At 10pm the Enemy were reported in BOUVANCOURT. Transport continued the retirement. Brigade nucleus parties under command of Major Winter N. Fus, after covering the retirement marched to PEVY."

One would wonder whether any of the other prisoners could have told the story - I know the Lt Col Reggie ******* was amongst those - and he either wrote or dictated his memoirs - used in Terrain's "1st of July".

A very fastinating subject. Thanks very much!

Dave

[Lincolnsreg]

Soory I should have said Martin Middlebrook's THE FIRST DAY ON THE SOMME 1 JULY 1916. Get mixed up easily - it's these late nights!

[rws1918]

Hi everyone.

I am currently researching the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment from 1897 to 1919. I don't suppose there's anyone out there with personal family stories or recollections ... or even diaries are there?

I have retrieved a lot of data from the Imperial War Museum, Lincolns Reg Museum, national archives, liddle collection etc, but am now looking for more personal accounts to help tie in more details.

Hope you can help,

Regards,

Dave

Hi Dave,

I have been researching the Keable surname and found two keable;s who served in the 2/Lincolnshire Regiment during the boer war: Alfred keable (1891 - 1912) Good conduct medal 1908 and w. keable Died of disease in 1902. I have alfred's Service record and i have the medal roll to both of them. Any chance you may other information on the regiment, thanks Curtis

[Lincolnsreg]

Hi Curtis, I have sent you an email with a breakdown of the battalion's actions in South Africa.

I think that Alfred Keable would have been discharged whilst the battalion was in Gibraltar (3rd Jan 1912 to April 1914). He must have completed his full term of service (21 years I think was correct for those days - my grandfather was demobbed after 22 years service - and that was only because of the war!).

[rws1918]

Hi Curtis, I have sent you an email with a breakdown of the battalion's actions in South Africa.

I think that Alfred Keable would have been discharged whilst the battalion was in Gibraltar (3rd Jan 1912 to April 1914). He must have completed his full term of service (21 years I think was correct for those days - my grandfather was demobbed after 22 years service - and that was only because of the war!).

Thanks very much for your assistance

Curtis

[Guest Annieboag]

Hello Dave,

my grandfather was in The Lincolnshire Regiment but unfortunately as far as your research goes not until 19 Oct 1919. He did boy service with the West Yorkshire and West Riding Regiment before this date.

Could you or anyone knowledgeable about the Regiment after this date help me out please or point me in the right direction. I have just received my grandfather's service records and they are fascinating stuff. They are obviously hazy for the second world war but tantalising remarks are made such as" Commandant 41 Indian/Polish Transit Camp Persia " and Chief Instructor G.H.Q Street Fighting School. He was also on the "Neuralia" and 1 think the "Argentina ( H.T "Argentina)I would just like some more detail for interests sake. He was in the 1st Bn until 1924.then 2nd Bn (would love to hear of experiences in India !)4th Bn for 3 years(36) then back to the 2nd until 1948.

I have found the Regiment's website but do you or any other reader know of forums or blogs for the second world war and the 2nd Bn Lincolnshire Regiment in particular?

Thank you!

Annie

[MelPack]

Hello Dave

If you have a look at my thread in 'Other' under Project Facade there is a link to the full case notes of 2nd Lincs soldier who had his face shot off on the first day of the Somme.

Best wishes

Mel

[Guest cattridge]

Hi Curtis, I have sent you an email with a breakdown of the battalion's actions in South Africa.

I think that Alfred Keable would have been discharged whilst the battalion was in Gibraltar (3rd Jan 1912 to April 1914). He must have completed his full term of service (21 years I think was correct for those days - my grandfather was demobbed after 22 years service - and that was only because of the war!).

My Greatgrandfather was named Alfred Keable he had four children of which I am aware named Thomas, James, William and Sylvia (William being my grandfather who died - 11th Fld Regt RA - at Cassino 12-02-44). I have done as much research as I can regarding my grandfather and I am now turning my mind to Alfred. I wonder if he is the same one that you mention. I know the family was originally from Lincolnshire and I am also aware that he fought in the Boer War although I thought he had also fought in the Great War which your suggestion that he left the Regt in 1912 tends to refute. Anyway, any suggestions on how I could find out more on this Alfred Keable so as to verify or otherwise whether he is indeed my Greatgrandfather would be most appreciated

Warm regards,

Craig Attridge

PS I currently live in Bermuda having left the UK in 1993 and note with interest that the battalion was in Bermuda in 1914!

[Warwick122]

My grandfather George William Archer from Hogsthorpe was a professional soldier from 16 Jan 1911 until 287 June 1916 when discharged due to shrapnel in his leg. He then went to Ditchingham Priory which had been converted from an Anglican Home for fallen women to a war hospital and later went to work in the Austin munitions factory at Longbridge. He was stationed in Portmouth sat the 1911 census, and returned to Hampshire where he met my grandmother and married there in 1915.  He was wounded at Neuve Chapelle.  I wouldw love to know more about the 2nd Lincs did between 1911 and 1914.