1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

[domsim]

Hi Folks

I'm doing research on one of my great uncles who was in the above battalion. I have copies of his service record which says he was captured on the above date.

I know his battalion was part of 86 brigade, 29th Division and they were operating at Battle of Estaires & the Battle of Hazebroubk .

He ended up in Limberg POW camp.

Any information on this would be gratefully received.

Cheers

Dominic

[PhilB]

German attack at Neuf Berquin. Withdrew to Vieux Berquin. Phil B

[johnaylett]

This is from the 2nd Royal Fusiliers diary. As they fought with the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers throughout the war it gives an idea of the situation. The two battalions were never far apart.

[11 April 1918: MERVILLE AREA → DOULIEU & PRADELLES AREA]

Upon orders from 151st Brigade at 0400 we (less X Coy) handed over our positions to the 5/D.L.I. as they had evacuated ESTAIRES, and took up a position in reserve in farms about L.11. with Battalion headquarters at L.11.d.8.2. positions in yellow. At noon we relieved the 1/R.G.L.I. in the defences of DOULIEU with W Coy in front line (running through N.E. of village) Z Coy in support, and Y Coy in close support on right of Z Coy; positions in XXX {crossed out}. We were unable to put a company in BRIELLE FARM as our X Coy were permanently attached to the 151st Brigade, and the remainder of the Battalion were again under the 86th Brigade. At 3-0 p.m. the enemy became very lively and troops shewing a tendency to retire, we sent our support company (Z) to the right and placed them under the orders of the K.O.S.B’s at about L.12.a.1.8. Sharp fighting all that afternoon and night, when we were ordered to evacuate DOULIEU at 2-0 a.m. on the morning of the 12th inst.

Rear headquarters moved to VERTE RUE at 3 p.m. arriving at 5 p.m. although heavily sniped and M. Gunned when leaving MERVILLE. Again moved at 7-30 p.m. to PRADELLES arriving there 12-30 a.m. midnight.

[12 April 1918: DOULIEU & PRADELLES AREA]

we took up a line from L.4 Central westwards astride the NEUF BERQUIN Road (coloured red) this battalion taking up a line from L.3.d.8.8. (road exclusive) to Cross Roads at L.4 Central (inclusive) with a strong outpost at L.4.d.5.0. and also hedge at L.4.c.0.0. with Battalion headquarters at F.27.d.6.9. the 1/R.G.L.I. in position on our right; our W Coy on right, Z Coy on left, and Y Coy in support about L.4.a.5.2. Between 9-0 a.m. and 10 a.m. the enemy started pushing forward his skirmishers and M.Gs and drove back our front line, but only after the 31st division on out left had retired a comsiderable distance back, thus leaving our flank in the air. Y Coy immediately formed a defensive flank on the left, and Battalion headquarters moved to F.26.b.2.3. together with the 1/Lancs Fusiliers and 1/R.G.L.I. headquarters. A light line of resistance was formed at noon along F.26.d.3.8. to F.27.a. Central, with a defensive flank thrown back to cottage at F.20.d.9.5. About 1-0 p.m. the defensive flank retired, and from then until 2-30 p.m. we were retiring on to the village of BLEU which was held by the remains of troops of the 86th and 87th Brigades until 4-0 p.m. when the village was evacuated. As many men of the Division as possible were rounded up on the railway line at F.7.a.5.0. and later under orders from 86th Brigade the remains of this Battalion, with details of the 1/R.G.L.I., S.W.B., and Borders, were taken forward and made to dig a support line along F.18.c.9.5 to F.18.b.8.2 and on the left of the Lanc Fusiliers, who held as far as VIEUX BERQUIN. Our front line was along VIEUX BERQUIN – OULTERSTEENE Road as far as FME LABIS. Thence northward along the W. side of wood at F.7.c. the 2nd Royal Fusiliers established headquarters in conjunction with Colonel Raikes, who was commanding all details of 29th Division. Rear headquarters moved to Q.25.c.2.0. midway between ST SYLVESTRE CAPPEL and CAESTRE at 3-30 p.m.

Obviously your best bet is to get hold of the 1st Lancs diaries which can be ordered here

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalog...mp;Summary=True

[domsim]

John & Phil

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply-very useful information-especially your diary John. I am hoping to get along to Kew soon, so shall check the war diary as you suggest.

All the best

Dominic

[PhilB]

From the RH:-

[PhilB]

And:-

[domsim]

Hi Phil

Fantastic! Thanks very much taking the trouble to scan and post the images. I am very grateful.

All the best

Dominic.