alathea Posted 14 March , 2007 Share Posted 14 March , 2007 Please can anyone tell me where the 1st Life Guards were on 1 Nov 1914, I am interested in trying to find details of the following soldier: Alexander RATHMELL aged 30, Private 4844 Killed: 01 Nov 1914, 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars, (attached to the 1st Life Guards) Many thanks Alathea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 14 March , 2007 Share Posted 14 March , 2007 Hi alathea, welcome to the forum Yer man Alexander was a former employee of Vickers Steelworks, Sheffield. Alexander is remembered on their Memorial. The 1st Life Guards were part of the 7th Cavalry Bde of the 3rd Cavalry Division, under General Byng. They took part in the 1st Battle of Ypres, there was bitter fighting in the Gheluvelt salient around the time that Alexander fell. From Sir John French's 4th Despatch About 5 p.m. (1st Nov.) the French Cavalry Brigade also came up to the cross-roads just east of Hooge, and at once sent forward a dismounted detachment to support our 7th Cavalry Brigade. Perhaps Alexander was part of this detachment. He is listed on SDGW as KiA. Hope this helps, I'm sure someone out there has got the details, cheers for now, Jon The British Positions before Ypres, October 29th, 30th and 31st 1914 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alathea Posted 28 March , 2007 Author Share Posted 28 March , 2007 Hi Jon Thank you for your reply. I have read Sir John French's Fourth Despatch and have found it very informative. I went to the National Archives at Kew yesterday in the hopes of being able to see the war diary for the 1st Life Guards, but unfortunately it had already been reserved by someone else. Next time I'll be more organised and reserve it before I visit. Thanks again Alathea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rathmelljon Posted 11 November , 2015 Share Posted 11 November , 2015 Hi, I don't know if the information I have is of interest to you regarding Alex, he is my great great uncle and I have regimental christmas cards he sent to his wife over the years and also postcards from the front. I am happy to email you copies of some if you like including the travel documents sent to his wife and train tickets to see the Menin Gate Memorial when this was completed. If it is please feel free to inbox me with your email address. Regards Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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