Guest newworldmember Posted 20 January , 2004 Share Posted 20 January , 2004 I'll be grateful to any and all respopndents who can confirm that the 1st Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment was present on the first day of the Battle of Festubert on May 15th, 1915. I know that Lance Corporal Joseph Harcourt Tombs won a VC on that day. He was with the 1st Battalion at the time but had transferred from the 3rd Battalion on March 25th. These days, there is so much conflicting information bouncing around regarding all aspects of the Great War that confusion is sometimes the result of it. I do not have a copy of the King's Regimental History for 1914-18, and I'm hopeful that somene in the WFA can answer this question for me. All replies will be ackinwledged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 20 January , 2004 Share Posted 20 January , 2004 Does it have to be someone in the WFA? The battalion was involved but I believe it was in support rather than an assault wave. 6th Brigade, to which it belonged, attacked in the northern end of the line, facing Ferme du Bois. There is extensive coverage of this battle here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 21 January , 2004 Share Posted 21 January , 2004 Not being a member of the WFA, I hope you don't mind me answering this ( ) This is the extract from the Regimental History covering this day (and part of the next).... Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 21 January , 2004 Share Posted 21 January , 2004 ...and... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Chap Posted 21 January , 2004 Share Posted 21 January , 2004 The ist Kings certainly fought at Festubert and bravely too. I had a mail off a friend some time back who had spoke to an ex-1st Kingsman who had been rescued from no-mans land the day L.Cpl.Tombs won his VC. He could well have benn saved by the VC winner. There are some publications and web sites that have the incorrect date for L.Cpl.Tombs winning the VC.It was won 16th May 1915 and not June as the London Gazette and i still believe the Kings web site have dated the action. If memory serves me right, the war diary of the 1st Kings covering this period no longer exists. If you are interested in the Kings treat yourself to 'The History of the Kings Regiment (Liverpool)' by Everard Wyrall. It's a re-print and a super history of all the Kings battalions. Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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