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Remembered Today:

1914 Arrival of reserves to battalions


Terry

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I have four 1914 Star trios with MIC's which indicate that the men arrived in France on 26 or 27 August, some ten to thirteen days after the arrival of their respective battalions ( 2/KOYLI, 1/RScFus, 2/HLI, and Cold Gds).

Their arrivals would have been roughly around the time of Le Cateau, and I have two questions.

First, I assume that the units arrived in France more or less up to their war establishment. For example the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers landed 1016 strong.How long would it have been before the first reinforcements appeared, considering that the BEF didn't actually go into action until Mons, 23 August?

Second, does anyone have any information or examples of the time between a soldier arriving at Havre or some other French port and reaching the battlefield?

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Hello Terry

I can confirm that the first drafts sent to 2/KOYLI on the continent, as opposed to Dublin were the Battalion were based pre-war, was indeed 26th August 1914.

The 3/KOYLI war diary states:

"Wednesday 26th August - Lieutenant C.B.Haygate and 93 rank and file left to join Expeditionary Force."

Andy

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Thanks Andy. The fellow was 3-1733 Pte.A.Woolford, so I assume he was indeed a member of this draft.

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Hello Terry

Poor sod didn't last long.

Woolford, Alfred

b Croydon, Surrey

Enlisted Wakefield

3/1733, Pte

KiA, F & F

30/12/14

Andy

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Just a further piece of detail from the "History of the KOYLI".

Near Tournan 4th September 1914

"While in bivouac here south of the town , the KOYLI welcomed their first reinforcement, being joined by 2/Lt W.Carrington and eighty rank and file"

Either 2/Lt Haygate was just an escort or was being held at the base depot in France.

Andy

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Andy,

Woolford lasted longer than the fellow from 1/Royal Scots Fusiliers. 7187 Pte.J.Sidwell's MIC indicates that he arrived in France on 27 August. He was killed in action on 15 September at the Aisne.

Thanks for the information.

Cheers,

Terry

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Battalions sent on active service had a "First Reinforcement" of 100 men under a subaltern as part of their War Establishment of just over 1100. The First Reinforcement was to be "at the base" which I believe meant the base of operations in F&F. In the case of 2RWF, the second and third reinforcements were well on their way by Mons. Typical brilliant Old Contemptible organisation. By the time they fought their first big action in October the battalion was over strength, and just as well.

This is written away from my notes, will come back if I have erred.

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Drat. Now I am united with my chronology 1 and 2RWF 1914. Some misinformation above.

11 to 13 Aug 979 other ranks landed Rouen, no First reinforcement with them

21-22 Aug First reinforcement 93 OR, arrives 2RWF 6 Sep

28-30 Aug second reinforcement arrives France 87 OR, arrives 2RWF 20 Sep [a long story here!]

1-2 Sep third reinforcement arrives France 93 OR, arrives 2RWF 7 Sep.

Further reinforcements landed 19-22 Sep 192 OR.

Sources medal roll 1914 star, TWTIK, OSND, Regimental Records, Depot Records, War Diary etc.

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I don't know if this will be of interest but I have a document listing all drafts to the 2nd battalion Royal Sussex from the beginning of the war until May 1915

The list has was compiled using the regimental diary which may not be entirely accurate if their casualty figures are anything to go by but it gives a good idea of the frequency of replacement OR drafts in 1914/15

Rob

2nd_Battalion_Royal_Sussex_drafts_Aug14_May15.doc

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I think you are spot on LB. The day after the first reinforcement for 2/KOYLI was sent to F & F a further draft of 90 men was despatched.

Andy

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