Queen Victoria's Rifles

[Rogerloxley]

Dear all,

I've been researching my grandfather's service and have found out quite a bit of information from the regt diary and from the RGJ. However, I was disappointed to find that his records at Kew have clearly been destroyed - along with his four cousins' records - and so I have a blank as to what he actually did in WW1. I know he was in the QVR and the family history suggests that he was a stretcher bearer but we have no memoirs of his that give any clues. He never talked about his service (as was common) and he only wrote half a page of A4 about his two years in the war. I would extremely grateful if anyone has come across any record of him in their researches and could provide any further information about his experiences.

His service would be recorded under 415043 Private CBC Loxley, 2/9th Bn London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles). He served from February 1917 until the end of the war and was awarded the Victory medal and the British medal after the war ended.

Very many thanks for any information,

Roger Loxley

[sotonmate]

Roger

It may help to know that the QVR was part of:

3rd Army:VIII Corps:56 Division:169 Brigade.

169 Brigade consisted of 4 London Battalions:

1/2 City of London Bn Royal Fusiliers

1/5 City of London Bn Rifle Brigade

1/9 City of London Bn Queen Victoria's Rifles,and,

1/16 City of London Bn Queen's Westminster Rifles.

If you look at the deployments of 56 Division you will get some idea of what your Grandfather got up to from 1917 onwards ! Look at :

http://www.1914-1918,net/56Div.htm

This will list the battles of 56 Div and show which bits 169 brigade were involved in.

Enjoy !

Sotonmate

[sotonmate]

Roger,

Sorry,the link was not perfect,try again:

http://www.1914-1918.net/56div.htm

Sotonmate

[Steven Broomfield]

Sotonmate - Loxley was 2/9th: 175 Bde, 58th (2/1st London) Div, with 2/10th, 2/11th and 2/12th Bns. In March 1918, the 2/9th was amalgamated with the 1/9th, becoming the 9th, but staying in the same brigade/division.

Unsurprisingly, Loxley (as an o.r.) gets no mention in the regimental history.

[chrrip]

Find his Medal Index Card at Kew and from that you will get the reference for his BWM and that record will give you details of his service overseas - unique to London Regiment

[Drew-1918]

Dear all,

I've been researching my grandfather's service and have found out quite a bit of information from the regt diary and from the RGJ. However, I was disappointed to find that his records at Kew have clearly been destroyed - along with his four cousins' records - and so I have a blank as to what he actually did in WW1. I know he was in the QVR and the family history suggests that he was a stretcher bearer but we have no memoirs of his that give any clues. He never talked about his service (as was common) and he only wrote half a page of A4 about his two years in the war. I would extremely grateful if anyone has come across any record of him in their researches and could provide any further information about his experiences.

His service would be recorded under 415043 Private CBC Loxley, 2/9th Bn London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles). He served from February 1917 until the end of the war and was awarded the Victory medal and the British medal after the war ended.

Very many thanks for any information,

Roger Loxley

Hello,

Few years too late for this post but I hope you are still able to pick up on these posts Roger.

My Great Uncle, Frederick Drew, was in the QVR too. In similarity to your own family history, my Nan always said Frederick was a stretcher bearer too. In addition, my Great Uncle's number was 415054- very similar to your Grandfather's number, and he went to France in February 1917 as well.

I wondered if we might be able to share any information.

Cheers,

Chris

[Chester837]

Roger,

I've been doing a fair amount of research into the 2/9th QVR. Llike Chris, my great, great uncle (oddly enough, also a Drew) was there from Feb '17.

It is worth getting hold of a copy of Major Keeson's book regarding the history of the QVR's which has a very in depth account of the 1/9th, a decent account of the 2/9th and a spattering of the 3/9th.

It would appear that the 2/9th spent a fair amount of time being pushed from pillar to post, taking their place at the front and 'doing their bit'.

My great great uncle was KIA on the 24th May '17 at Bullecourt, where the 2/9th saw some heavy action.

Being a stretcher bearer wasn't as woosy as it sounds, judging from what I have read. Many men volunteered to be stretcher bearers, which wasn't a full time role and were exceptionally brave, going out into no man's land, under enemy fire, to bring back their injured collegues.

I'll have a look tonight to see if Loxley is mentioned anywhere in Keeson.