1914-15 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal to 12647 Private John Millar

[marksimner]

I have a 1914-15 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal to 12647 Private John Millard South Staffordshire Regiment.

He served with the 7th (Service) Battalion and was Wounded in Action on 11/6/17.

I am about to conduct research on him at the National Archives. However I was wondering if anyone here knew anything about him or perhaps have access to the Battalion War Diary for the period he was wounded?

Cheers

Mark

[the gunners dream]

Hi Mark,

I can't tell you about John MILLARD, but can tell you that the 7th Battalion were part of the 33rd Brigade of the 11th (Northern) Division.

They took part at Messines and the 33rd Brigade was supposed to be the only unit from the 11th to see action, they actually came under the command of the 16th (Irish) Division for this period.

The 33rd Brigade had the task of occupying trenches around Vandamme Farm, but a late order did not reach them until 10.45 and it was 2 p.m. before they got to their assembly lines at Rommens Farm.

By then, another Brigade of the 11th, the 57th, had been ordered up to occupy Oosttaverne road from Van Hove Farm to Bug Wood. This left a small gap for the 33rd Brigade to occupy. However, their forward battalions did not receive orders until 2.50 and 3.05 p.m. The commander of the 19th Division did asked for the barrage to be delayed as he feared that both the 57th and the 33rd might be late, but this request was denied and zero carried on as normal.

In the end the 57th Brigade went over the top without the 33rd Brigade and the 33rd Brigade advanced at about 4.30 p.m,, with the support of 4 tanks and occupied Joye and Van Hove Farm after a brief engagement with German units occupying this area.

Eventually the 33rd Brigade were utilised to bolster the 4th Australian Division who had suffered heavy casualties the day before. They went to relieve the 52nd Battalion and, as they did so, both the 33rd and the 52nd took heavy casualties from German artillery fire.

See this map

The 11th and 19th Divisions were then ordered to relieve the 36th Ulster and the 16th Irish Divisions on the 9th June. This took place on the night of the 9th and 10th June.

Steve

[Roy Evans]

Mark,

I've just been tipped-off about your query by Enoch Beard.

I have a copy of the diary and it makes interesting reading from early June. I'll scan and post the pages when I get an hour spare.

Roy

[marksimner]

Mark,

I've just been tipped-off about your query by Enoch Beard.

I have a copy of the diary and it makes interesting reading from early June. I'll scan and post the pages when I get an hour spare.

Roy

Hi Roy

Thank you very much for having a look at the War Diary. I owe you one!

Just got another 1914-15 Star trio to the South Staffs and yet another on the way. Spent ages trying to find some and then 3 come along at the same time

Mark

[marksimner]

Hi Steve

Cheers for the info. I have printed it off and will include it in the research file for him.

I owe you one too.

Mark

[Roy Evans]

Hi Roy

Thank you very much for having a look at the War Diary. I owe you one!

Mark

At one of the meetings of the South Staffs Pals?

Here is the first page of six pages for early June '17

[Roy Evans]

Page 2

[Roy Evans]

Page 3

[Roy Evans]

Page 4

[Roy Evans]

Page 5

[Roy Evans]

Page 6

[Roy Evans]

There are also 20 pages of Operational Orders which I will post in due course.

Roy

[marksimner]

Crikey Roy

I think I owe you more than just one for all that. Hopefully I will be able to get myself to on of the meetings soon - I better bring my wallet and stack the beers up

You are a star mate.

Mark

[sotonmate]

Charlie's Godson

Here a map of the Messines area with the part of the bits you look for.

Sotonmate

[Rick B]

Sotonmate

Some good stuff, most interesting. Thanks very much indeed to you all.

Regards

CG