pat Posted 30 November , 2003 Posted 30 November , 2003 I have the "History of the Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles" (also known as the the 1/15, 2/15 and 3/15 London Regiment). This was a territorial regiment recruited, as the name implies, from the Civil Service. The great thing about this book is that it lists everybody who served with the regiment 1914-1919 (surname and initials only - sadly no details) including my Grandad Pte EE Phillips. Happy to look up his comrades Pat
Simon_Fielding Posted 1 December , 2003 Posted 1 December , 2003 Any details of the unit's actions around the 21/10/15 would be good - and any info on the man below: Cheers! Simon Private Cecil Everard HUMPHERSON 15th Battalion London Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own Civil Service Rifles) 21/10/15 Aged 21 Son of Alfred William and Fanny Humpherson of Red Hill, Bewdley Lilliers Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France IV. D. 15
pat Posted 1 December , 2003 Author Posted 1 December , 2003 Hi Simon He is listed in the Annex in bold type meaning KIA. He must hve been in the 1st battalion because the 2nd was still in the UK at the time. Kate's reply on the "47th London Division" track quotes the relevant section of the book. I'm afraid there's nothing specific for your date. All I can add is that the book says - referring to the campaign of winter 1915-16 as a whole - "There were as many as 30 casualties a day - a high average for a trench tour" and later "The wastage in personnel due to the appalling weather and shelling had so mounted up, that when relief came (in 1916), the Battalion marched, or rather dragged itself out at only about 300 strong" Grim stuff Pat
pat Posted 4 December , 2003 Author Posted 4 December , 2003 hello again. I was curious so I did a Google search on Pte Humpherson. You probably know this, but if not try clicking on: Men of Bewdly who died in the Great War this has him listed as Died of Wounds, so he could have been wounded quite some time before his death, say at the battle of Loos. Just a guess. Google also came up with a New Zealander of the same name, who was killed at Gallipoli and who's next of kin lived in Gloucester. So possibly a rleative? Pat
Doug Lewis Posted 17 January , 2004 Posted 17 January , 2004 Pat Could you do a look up for the 1/15th's actions on and around 1/9/18. Researching R/12382 Rifleman Arthur Simister KIA on that date. Regards Doug
pat Posted 17 January , 2004 Author Posted 17 January , 2004 Hi Doug there is quite a detailed account. Here are the key quotes: 29 Aug "the CSR marched to huts in an old French brickfield about a mile north of Maricourt, and close to Montaubon". 30 Aug "continued the advance". "The Battalion bivouacked in Maurepas Ravine and spent the whole of the next day there, but on the morning of the 1st of September there began what proved to be the last battle in which the CSR were to take an active part. It was a battle worthy of the occasion, and during the six days while it lasted, the men lived up to the very best traditions of the Regiment...." "On the 1st of September the 140th Brigade.....was to advance and capture Rancourt and the line of trench following the SW edge of St Pierre Vaast Wood." "A certain amount of shelling was encountered on the way up to the assembly position" (Some men were killed at this point but your chap isn't named.) "The assembly position was reached at 5.00am and zero was at 5.30am"... "After 5 minutes' "crash" by the Artillery, C and D companies moved forward behind a creeping barrage to take the final objective, followed by A and B companies."... "The attack was completely successful, prisoners beginning to come down within ten minutes of zero."... "Lieut E R Lascelles, commanding C co, was killed early in the advance, but otherwise the losses were slight, and by 7.30am all objectives had been reached and were being consolidated."... "During the process of consolidation B and D companies were shelled heavily from a German Field Gun Battery...." "An attempt by the enemy to rush through the gap on teh right was prevented by Lewis gu and rifle fire from developing, and this brought to a close a good day's work in which the CSR had taken 150-200 prisoners and ten machine guns."... "The operation of 1 Sept had been simple and straightforward, and had been carried out without a hitch..." Comment: this part of the book was written quite soon after the war by an officer of the Regiment. He uses this rather annoyingly upbeat tone all the way through. How sad for your chap to be killed in his regiment's last battle and in such a "simple and straightforward" operation. Pat ps - But what makes you think he was in the CSR? He isn't listed in the book and the CWGC site has him as being KRRC!
Chris_B Posted 4 October , 2005 Posted 4 October , 2005 Pat, If you are still by any chance keeping an eye on this old thread. I'm interested in the fate of these men who all appear on a local war memorial and served in the "civil service rilfes": 1. BIRD, CHARLES JAMES Initials: C J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment: London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) Unit Text: 15th Bn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 22/10/1916 Service No: 5677 Additional information: Son of James and Mary Bird, of 17, Crisp Rd., Hammersmith, London. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 12. 17. Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN 2. GRIFFITHS, JOHN LEARWOOD Initials: J L Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment: London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) Unit Text: 1st/15th Bn. Date of Death: 07/10/1916 Service No: 531951 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 13 C. Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL 3. MADDOX, THOMAS GEORGE (also spelt Maddocks) Initials: T G Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment: London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) Unit Text: 1st/15th Bn. Age: 22 Date of Death: 07/10/1916 Service No: 530625 Additional information: Son of John George and Mary Ann Maddox, of 18, Holmer St., Whitecross Rd., Hereford. Enlisted in Aug., 1914; proceeded to France March, 1915. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 13 C. Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks, Chris.
stiletto_33853 Posted 5 October , 2005 Posted 5 October , 2005 Chris, I am not sure that Pat participates in the Forum anymore, if you do Pat my apologies. Here are the scans from "The History of The Prince of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles" There is a new book out on the Rifles, although I have not read it as yet, which might give a little more. Andy
stiletto_33853 Posted 5 October , 2005 Posted 5 October , 2005 Chris, As you can see the Battalion after this action wasnot in action again before the 22nd so maybe Charles James Bird was injured in this action. Hope it all helps. Andy
Chris_B Posted 6 October , 2005 Posted 6 October , 2005 Chris, As you can see the Battalion after this action wasnot in action again before the 22nd so maybe Charles James Bird was injured in this action. Hope it all helps. Andy <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Andy, Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to post all those the scans which I have been busy reading. I've seen the review of the new book, a very tempting buy. But where do you stop? Regards, Chris.
stiletto_33853 Posted 6 October , 2005 Posted 6 October , 2005 Hi Chris, Glad the scans were of use and I have to agree where do you stop, she who must be obeyed has to draw the line somewhere. Andy
martyn newell Posted 13 June , 2006 Posted 13 June , 2006 I have the "History of the Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles" (also known as the the 1/15, 2/15 and 3/15 London Regiment). This was a territorial regiment recruited, as the name implies, from the Civil Service. The great thing about this book is that it lists everybody who served with the regiment 1914-1919 (surname and initials only - sadly no details) including my Grandad Pte EE Phillips. Happy to look up his comrades Pat Sgt.Henry James Scott is a Soldier of the Prince of Wales Rifles I am interested in. One of three brothers from Maidenhead killed in the war, he died on 18/01/1916 and is buried in Noeux-Mines-Communal Cemetary near Arras. Any info as to his units action would be appreciated Martyn Newell
SiegeGunner Posted 13 June , 2006 Posted 13 June , 2006 There is a new book out on the Rifles, although I have not read it as yet, which might give a little more The 'new' book (published autumn 2004 by Pen & Sword) is The Civil Service Rifles in the Great War by Jill Knight - a good friend and former colleague of mine - who sadly died in April 2005. Jill's research papers associated with this book have been deposited in the archives of the Centre for First World War Studies at Birmingham University, and her research on those CSR men who are commemorated on the Roll of Honour of the Board of Trade (lost in WW2 and replicated/rededicated in 2002 thanks to Jill's efforts) can be found on the Department of Trade & Industry's 'virtual memorial' website at www.dti.gov.uk/warmemorial Mick
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