LarryR Posted 18 November , 2007 Share Posted 18 November , 2007 Hello all I am new to this excellent site. I am looking for any information/pointers in relation to actions involving of the Royal London Fusiliers ("RLF") in and around Carnoy, Somme in June 1916. My grandfather's brother Pvt Joseph Rawlinson of the RLF aged 24 was killed in the area on 28 June 1916 in what is believed by my family to have been a preliminary skirmish prior to commnecement of the main battle on 1 July 1916. I recently visited his grave in Carnoy military cemetery - a very moving experience for me and my 16 yr old son - one which brings home the sacrifice that all these men gave for their country and in the cause of freedom Thanks Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 18 November , 2007 Share Posted 18 November , 2007 Hi, Larry, and welcome to the Forum. I see from the CWGC site Here, that he was in the 20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (strictly speaking, their title was The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), or similar). The 20th were the 3rd Public Schools Battalion, raised by the Public Schools' and University Mens' Force, and were, at the time in question, part of the 19th Brigade, 33rd Division. I don't have anything on the 20th RF, I'm afraid; I do have the 33rd Divisional History, but it isn't terribly helpful, and mentions only that various raids were taking part at the time you mention. Might be worth re-titling your thread with the 20th Royal Fusiliers title - might attract some interest. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 18 November , 2007 Share Posted 18 November , 2007 This is rather odd, the 20th Royal Fusiliers were at Givenchy until early July, arriving at Poulainville near Amiens on 10-7-1916, Buire-sur-l'Ancre on the 12th, and reached the real danger area at Meaulte on the 14th July. I can't imagine a 20th Royal Fusilier killed on 28-6-1916 being buried at Carnoy. I opened this topic expecting to see an 11th Royal Fusilier (54th Brigade, 18th Division), who were at Carnoy in preparation for the assault on Pommier Redoubt on 1st July 1916. Could there be a unit error here? Soldiers Died in the Great War shows: Name: RAWLINSON, Joseph Regiment, Corps etc.: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) Battalion etc.: 20th Battalion. Last name: Rawlinson First name(s): Joseph John Edward Initials: J J E Birthplace: Willesden Enlisted: London Residence: College Park, N.W. Rank: PRIVATE Number: 9137 Date died: 28 June 1916 How died: Killed in action Theatre of war: France & Flanders Supplementary Notes: Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryR Posted 18 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 18 November , 2007 This is rather odd, the 20th Royal Fusiliers were at Givenchy until early July, arriving at Poulainville near Amiens on 10-7-1916, Buire-sur-l'Ancre on the 12th, and reached the real danger area at Meaulte on the 14th July. I can't imagine a 20th Royal Fusilier killed on 28-6-1916 being buried at Carnoy. I opened this topic expecting to see an 11th Royal Fusilier (54th Brigade, 18th Division), who were at Carnoy in preparation for the assault on Pommier Redoubt on 1st July 1916. Could there be a unit error here? Soldiers Died in the Great War shows: Name: RAWLINSON, Joseph Regiment, Corps etc.: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) Battalion etc.: 20th Battalion. Last name: Rawlinson First name(s): Joseph John Edward Initials: J J E Birthplace: Willesden Enlisted: London Residence: College Park, N.W. Rank: PRIVATE Number: 9137 Date died: 28 June 1916 How died: Killed in action Theatre of war: France & Flanders Supplementary Notes: Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryR Posted 25 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 25 January , 2008 Steve please could you give me your reference sources for the information you posted about the movements of the battalion. My grandfather's brother was in the regiment (20th not the 11th RF) and he is buried in Carnoy military cemetery. Date of death is 28/6/1916. thanks Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 26 January , 2008 Share Posted 26 January , 2008 Hi Larry and welcome to the forum, Steve is absolutley right, the 20th Royal Fusiliers were in the Givenchy Right Sector, and from the 27th to 30th June the battalion was in support according to their War Diary. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YvanFrance Posted 19 February , 2008 Share Posted 19 February , 2008 LarryR said: I recently visited his grave in Carnoy military cemetery - a very moving experience for me and my 16 yr old son - one which brings home the sacrifice that all these men gave for their country and in the cause of freedom Thanks Larry If sometime you want to see Carnoy again. I wil make some other different views. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 19 February , 2008 Share Posted 19 February , 2008 Joseph Rawinson was laid to rest in plot G14. Pte 4203 Smalley another 20th Battalion man was also killed on the 28th July 1916 and is laid to rest in plot G15. They're quite some way from their battalion for this date. Both men KiA. Could they have been attached to another unit. Cemetery reports show a number of 8th East Surrey men buried in Carnoy onj this date, cheers, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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