241695 Pte Frank Isaac Shimwell, a farm worker from Birchover

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Enlisted in January 1916; served with the 2/6th Battalion in Ireland and France; Transferred to the London Regiment in August 1918; Served as a stretcher bearer and was wounded in 1918.

Many thanks to Belinda (Frank’s grand daughter) for kindly sending the photographs and her family memories.

1916-1918

Frank attested in January 1916 into the 3/6th Battalion – most likely through the Derby Scheme. He was transferred to the 2/6th Battalion and served during the Easter Rising.

Frank arrived in France with 2/6th Battalion (178th Bde/59th Division) in February 1917 and would have fought through all the major battles, including 3rd Ypres (Passchendale) in September 1917, Cambria in December 1917 and the Kaiserschlacht on the 21st March 1918.

In August 1918 he was transferred to the 1/24th (County of London) Battalion (The Queen’s) when the 2/6th Battalion were reduced to Cadre.

Frank was wounded in late summer 1918 near Bapaume on the Somme, which was reported in the 19th October issue of the Derbyshire Times. It would therefore seem plausible that he was wounded in September/early October. The 1/24th (County of London) Battalion (The Queen’s) were heavily engaged on the 8th – 10th September at Bouchavesnes in the Somme District and suffered numerous casualties- it is likely that Frank was wounded at this time.

Post war and numerous citations for bravery

After the War Frank served in the Derbyshire Police rising to the rank of Inspector and won numerous awards for bravery.

1971 in York

1973 Belgium Day Parade in London

“Grandpa did receive medals for commendations – he saved a woman from her burning house then went back in and saved her dog who was hiding under the kitchen table.  As he was with the police in rural Derbyshire he also rescued sheep for farmers from a river and from down an old mine shaft – so he had a range of medals”

“He left a note of the Key to his Medal Ribbons which I had transcribed and have attached – he also volunteered with the St John Ambulance Brigade for many years”

“Amongst mum’s things I found the attached newspaper cutting and photo – I presume they go together?  And the cutting gives an all round summary of his achievements – his daughter ‘Jane’ who is mentioned was my mother”

5853/242090 Pte Arthur Frank Shepherd – a market butcher from Bethnal Green

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Attested in December 1915; One of the Derby Scheme ‘London Men’; Served inmates Ireland; Survived the War and was discharged in November 1918; Died in Summer of 1968.

Photograph taken at Curragh Camp towards the end of 1916

Pre-War

Arthur lived with his wife Mary Ann at 29 Strahan Road in Bethnal Green

Attestation and Service in Ireland

Frank attested in December 1915 and was mobilised in October 1916. It’s likely that he was one of the Derby Scheme ‘London Men’ that were posted to the 2/6th – see here.

He served for a few weeks in Ireland before the Battalion moved to Fovant in early 1917.

Active Service in France from early 1917

Very little is known about Arthur’s service in France. It is possible that at some point he was wounded and transferred to the 2nd Battalion after recovery.

Arthur was discharged on the 11th November 1918 due to ‘sickness’ and was awarded a Silver War Badge along with his British War and Victory Medal.

2855 Cpl John Bradley a miner from Alfreton

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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:

(see here and here)

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

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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)