A branch manager for Hunter’s Stores who enlisted into the 11th Battalion in May 1916; killed in action on 18th October 1917
See here https://thesherwoodforesters.com/october-1917/
47790 Pte Frank Petch from Tibshelf
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I’m posting this because I don’t know what it shows
Obviously a few Imperial Service Badges (Territorials?) but no obvious Shoulder Badges……
Lance Corporal Samuel Arnold, a ‘stationary engine man’ from Nottingham
1st Nottinghamshire (Robin Hood) Volunteer Rifle Corps 1898 – 1908
Mounted…..
Robin Hood Rifles, T5 and T6 Notts and Derby
2220/240478 Pte John Victor Beet a steel worker from Melton Mowbray
Enlisted August 1914; Served with the 1/6th Battalion; Arrived in France on 28th February 1915; Disembodied on the 20th March 1919
2855 Cpl John Bradley a miner from Alfreton
A pre-War Volunteer and Territorial who re-enlisted into the 5th (Reserve) Battalion in October 1914. Arrived in France in February 1915 and was killed during the Battle of Loos.
Many thanks to Cathy Bryant – who was John’s great granddaughter – for kindly sending the photographs
John serving with the 1/5th Battalion. The picture on the left is probably pre-WW1, whilst the picture on the right is likely after he re-enlisted into the 5th (Reserve) Battalion in October 1914 and was promoted to Corporal in December 1914
Pre-War Service
John (standing on the left) appears to have served with the 4th (Nottinghamshire) Volunteer Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regt.
Note the 4th V N&D cloth badge on his right shoulder (example shown below) and the 3-tier ‘T 8 Notts & Derby’ badges that some of the other men are wearing. This post card was sent to his wife Lucy in Alfreton from Hindlow Camp in 1910.
Re-enlistment into the 5th (Reserve) Battalion in October 1914
John’s attestation into the 5th (Reserve) Battalion in October 1914 in which he states that he had previously served with the 5th Battalion for 4 years. Presumably at some point after 1910 John transferred from the 4th Volunteer Battalion to the 5th Territorial Battalion.
John was promoted to Corporal in November 1914 and signed the Imperial Service Obligation in January 1915 whilst the 5th (Reserve) Battalion in Swanwick. John was subsequently transferred to the 1/5th Battalion in February 1915 and proceeded with the 46th Division to France on the 1st March 1915.
Attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt during the Battle of Loos:
War Diary entry for the 14th – 15th October recording their attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. The Battalion suffered 5 men killed and 42 wounded. Amongst the men killed was John Bradley.
Trench map showing the Hohenzollern Redoubt
Casualties suffered by the 46th North Midland Division
John’s body was not recovered after the War and he is Commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the Missing
1328/242401 Pte Harry Wilfred Bagshaw a machine ruler and bookbinder from Buxton
A Pre-War Territorial who enlisted in February 1911. Harry arrived in France in February 1915 and was discharged in March 1919. He would have fought in all the major battles of the 46th North Midland Division.
Many thanks to Harry’s grandson Phil for providing the pictures and additional information.
Enlistment and training in Harpenden
Harry enlisted in February 1911 and served with the Buxton half of “C” (Ashbourne and Buxton) Company. On August 13th 1914 Colour Sergeant Frank Brindley sent Major Edgar Heathcote (O/C “C” Company) a full list of the Buxton men serving with the Company – Harry is recorded as living at 11 Hardwick Square.
Harry mobilised with the rest of the 46th North Midland Division and proceeded to Harpenden before departure to France in February 1915.
Post card sent from Harry to his wife Gladys while he was stationed in Harpenden
The ‘Buxton Territorials’ ready to leave for France in 1915
Discharge from the Army
Unfortunately there is very little information regarding Harry’s time with the 1/6th Battalion. Following his discharge he suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, but a Medical Board determined that this was not attributable to War Service so he was denied a pension. Harry died in 1928 aged only 35.
Harry was awarded a 1914-15 Trio (representative image)
L/Cpl W Wendley
53rd Battalion Notts & Derby, Clipstone Camp December 1918.
Unfortunately nothing is known about W Wendley’s service – of course he may never have served overseas – who knows……
2425/240572 Pte John Hackney a watchmaker from Buxton
Enlisted in October and 1914 and arrived in France in February 1915; discharged in April 1917 due to sickness from an injury inflicted by barbed wire.
Many thanks to Paul Nicholson (John’s Grandson) for additional information and kindly sending the photographs.
Enlistment and Arrival in France in February 1915
John enlisted into the 6th (Home Service) Battalion in Buxton on 6th October 1914 aged 19 and arrived in France with the 1/6th Battalion in February 1915. He would have been serving with the Battalion whilst they occupied Front Line Trenches at Kemmel, Ypres and during the Battle of Loos.
Wounding and return to England
John was injured in February 1916 when the Battalion were in reserve near to Puchevillers and provided working parties to the Royal Engineers.
Following treatment in France John was transferred to the 3rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.
Discharge and Pension
A Medical Board in March 1917 found that John was found physically unfit for further military service and was he was discharged in April 1917 having served 2 years and 179 days. John was awarded a military pension.
After the War John was awarded a 1914-15 Trio and a Silver War Badge
(representative images)
4126/201363 Pte George Till a miner from Alfreton
Enlisted on 15th March 1915 aged 22; served with the 3/5th, 29th and 5th Reserve Battalions; transferred to the 1/5th Battalion in January 1917 and was posted missing on the 24th April 1917.
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 