1st Bn Northamptonshire

[andy1400]

Would anyone be able to tell me where the Battalion was and what it was doing on and just before the 9/11/1914? I am trying to find out about a local man, Frederick Cuthbert, who was killed in action on this day.

Thanks

Andy

[ceebee]

Andy

Here is an extract for the 1st Bn from Ray Westlake's book British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914:

November

Relieved in Shrewsbury Wood by the 2nd Royal Sussex (4th) and withdrew to close support positions. To front line (7th). Relieved (8th) and to reserve trenches just south of Hooge. To support line (9th), eastern edge of Nonne Bosschen Wood (11th).

The 1st Bn arrived in France on 13 August 1914 and was fairly active throughout the rest of August to the end of December 1914.

Hope this assists

Chris

[Stebie9173]

Hello, Andy

The 1st Northamptons were only lightly engaged in the first weeks of the war. They were not used at Mons and, being in Haig's I Corps, they were not involved at Le Cateau, and nor were they engaged in any of I Corps battles, apart from a couple of skirmishes with Uhlans.

The battalions first major encounters of the war were at the Aisne. They were heavily shelled on the 10th September near Priez, then took part in attacks at Troyon and Chemin des Dames on the 14th, taking 200 casualties.

After more fighting on the Aisne, notably on 17th September, when the battalion was first involved in a fake surrender by the Germans, and then a charge of machine gun position, again at Troyon, they moved on to Ypres, arriving at Pilckem on the 21st October 1914.

The battalion were immediately in action aiding in checking the German attack. The battalion held the line for the rest of October, barring one day rest in Ypres. The nature of the warfare at this point was of constant attacks and counter-attack against positions which were mainly mere scrapes in the earth. The Germans were the ones on the offensive at this point, and the war could well have been won - for Germany, at least - at any point. The days of the 31st October and 11th November were the critical days of the war to this point.

Although the 1st Northamptons were shelled and fired on throughout the day of the 31st, they were not engaged in battle until late in the day when they were part of a counter-attack at Shrewsbury Forest against the Prussian Guards, forcing the Germans onto the retreat. Further waves of attacks by the Germans took place on the 2nd and 4th November before the battalion was withdrawn into a close support role on the 5th.

From the Regimental history:

Hope this helps,

Steve.

[andy1400]

Thanks to you both for you help. It has been very useful.

Andy