Monthly Archives: April 2015

On this day 30th April 1916

Leave a reply

Men taken sick during last week of April

1828 Pte Claude Hancock, a labourer from New Mills and a Pre-War Territorial who served with “H” Company was admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance with scabies.1828 Hancock

1637 Pte Thomas Wheatcroft, a gas works labourer from Matlock Bath and a Pre-War Territorial in “E” Company was admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance with scabies.1637 wheatcroft

2561 Pte George William Chadwick a plate former electrician from Bakewell who enlisted in October 1914 was admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance with scabies. 2561 Chadwick

1490 Pte Jeremiah Thompson a miner from New Barlboro and Pre-War Territorial who served in “F” Company was admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance with inflamed connective tissue (cellulosis) of the right knee. He was treated in the 12th Stationary and 9th General Hospitals before being transferred to England. He returned to France with the 2/6th Battalion in February 1917 and was wounded in December 1917. 1490 Thompson

On this day 29th April 1916

Leave a reply

29.4.1916 MAROEUIL: Battn relieved by 4th LINCS who took over mining fatigues. Battn marched to PENIN and took over billets vacated by 5th LINCS. Lt.-Col.- GOODMAN to temporary Command of 139th Infantry Brigade, during absence on leave of BRIG-GEN C.T. SHIPLEY C.B.

Hall EMajor Hall to temporary Command of Battn.

During the month 416 steel helmets were issued to the Battn.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

Units moved today in accordance with instructions contained in Operations Order 54 & Units are now situated as follows:-

  • Brigade HQrs at PENIN
  • 5th Battn at 3rd Army School (AUXI LE CHATEAU)
  • 6th Battn at PENIN
  • 7th Battn (HQrs & 2 Coys) at DOFFINE
  • 7th Battn (2 COys) at PENIN
  • 8th Battn at AVERDOINGT
  • M.G. Coy at AVERDOINGT
  • 139/1 & 139/2 T.M. Batteries at AVERDOINGT

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

 

On this day 28th April 1916

Leave a reply

1359 Pte William Robert Smith

Died at home at the age of 29

William was a Pre-War Territorial who enlisted in March 1911 and served with “A” Company. He arrived in France in February 1915 and was wounded on the 21st May and presumably returned to England some time soon after.

[The War Diary records that 7 men were wounded during that trench duty]

In the 1911 Census Robert is recorded as a coal miner (fitter) and living with his parents Robert and Mary at 112 Chester Street in Brampton. He is buried in Chesterfield Spital Cemetery.

WIlliam’s name is not recorded in “Soldiers Died in the Great War”.1359 smith

On this day 22nd-24th April 1916

Leave a reply

19.4.1916 to 29.4.1916 (inclusive): Battn provided mining fatigues on 51st (HIGHLAND) DIVISIONAL front for 181 & 185 Companies Royal Engineers & 7/1 FRENCH GENIE (latter on 25th Divisional Front).

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

2547 Pte Harry Robinson a 24 year old railway Clerk from Cromford via Matlock, who enlisted in October 1914, returned to England. He was discharged on the 5th May 1916 as Time Expired.2547 Robinson

2768 Pte Arthur Edward Dovinson a 21 year old coal miner from Grassmoor, who enlisted in October 1914, was admitted to the 1/2nd North Midland Field ambulance with scabies. He was discharged to duty on the 29th April 1916.2768 Dovinson 1

3638 Pte Harry Beeson, a 22 year old coal miner from Clay Cross, who enlisted in January 1915, was admitted to the 30 Casualty Clearing Station with myalgia (muscle pain).  After treatment in base hospital and rest in the Convalescent Depot he rejoined the Battalion in June 1916. Harry was later killed in action in May 1917.3638 beeson

On this day 20th April 1916

Leave a reply

19.4.1916 to 29.4.1916 (inclusive): Battn provided mining fatigues on 51st (HIGHLAND) DIVISIONAL front for 181 & 185 Companies Royal Engineers & 7/1 FRENCH GENIE (latter on 25th Divisional Front).

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

Another wet & wretched day. The trenches are going back.

The 7th Brigade relieved us in the trench line this evening (See OO No. 52 attached).

The 8th Battn LOYAL NORTH LANCS relieved the 5th Battn Sherwood Foresters in the RIGHT SECTOR, and the 10th CHESHIRES the 8th Battalion SF in the LEFT SECTOR.

Owing to a mine being put up by the Germans on the front of the Brigade on our left, there was considerable shelling on our front, which delayed the relief. Relief was not completed till 1.40 a.m.

On relief Units moved to places as under:-

  • Brigade HQrs in SAVY
  • 5th Battn SF in BRAY and BOIS DES ALLEUX
  • 8th Battn SF in TINQUES  and BERTHENCOURT
  • Bde M Gun Coy in BERTHENCOURT
  • 139/1 T.M. Battery in BERTHENCOURT

It was fortunate the enemy did not explode a mine on our front during the relief.

During the period we have been holding this bit of line (from the night 9th/10th March), our casualties have been as follows:-1916 April Casualties 139 Bde

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]