Author Archives: mikebriggs1910

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About mikebriggs1910

I'm not a Historian by profession - merely an (over) enthusiastic amateur. By day I'm a Professor of Genetics at Newcastle University with a translation research interest in rare bone diseases. At weekends I can be classified as a Yorkshire Cricket & Psychedelic Rock fan, but mostly I'm just on the Fells (or in the pub - when they were open!).

118815 Private Harry Watson and the 118*** series of Regimental numbers…….

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British War Medal
British War Medal

A recent purchase that I am very happy with because I believe the recipient – 118815 Pte Harry Watson – has a special tale to tell in the story of the 1/6th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters.

Harry was issued the Regimental Number of 118815, which were numbers issued to conscripted men posted to the 3rd/4th and 5th/7th (Reserve) Battalions for training in early summer 1918.

The 118*** Series of Regimental Numbers

From studying surviving service records we can draw some broad conclusions:-

Men numbered between 118044 (Pte William Walters) and 118239 (Pte Sidney Nunn) were posted to the 3rd or 4th Battalions between 25th and 29th May 1918. Following training these men arrived in France in Sept/Oct 1918.

Men numbered between 118272 (Pte Charles Leedel) and 118287 (Pte Street) were posted to the 5th Reserve Battalion at Saltfleet on the 28th and 29th May 1918. Following training these men arrived in France in Sept/Oct 1918.

Men numbered between 118431 (Pte Hartwell) and 118547 (Pte Walker) were posted to the 3rd Battalion at Sunderland between on the 12th and 13th June 1918. Following training these men arrived in France on 4th Oct 1918.

Men numbered between 118785 (Pte McLocklin) and 118889 (Pte Hand) were posted to the 5th and 7th Reserve Battalions at Saltfleet between 18th and 20th June 1918. Following training these men arrived in France in mid Oct 1918.

Medal Roll of 118815 Harry Watson

From his service number of 118215 we can surmise that Harry Watson was posted to either the 5th or 7th Reserve Battalions in mid June 1918 and was highly likely to have arrived in France and posted to the 1/6th Battalion in October 1918.

And why is that important?……..It would make Harry one of the last reinforcements to join the 1/6th Battalion, most likely to replace losses following the storming of the Hindenburg Line.

Note: On the medal roll there is no longer a distinction between the 1/6th and 2/6th Battalions, the latter of which had been finally disbanded on 31st July 1918.

103039 Pte Frederick Blaydon – one of the ‘Bedfordshire Lads’………

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Sherwood Foresters Cap Badge

Unfortunately, I carelessly let this Medal Pair ‘get away from me’ on a well known internet auction site last night, but I thought that I would still try to piece together Frederick’s story.

Frederick was one of approximately 112 men who were transferred to the 2/6th Battalion, the Sherwood Foresters from the Bedfordshire Regiment and issued the new Regimental numbers running from 103024 (Herbert Meekins) to 103137 (George Webster). Many of these men had previously been numbered with a post-1917 6-digit Bedfordshire Territorial Force Regimental number (see below).

Section of the Sherwood Forester Medal Roll showing the transfer of Men from the Bedfordshire Regiment to the 2/6th Battalion.

But when and why did this transfer happen?

Fortunately the Service Records of at least two of this group of 112 men still exist:

103035 Pte John Male from Bath (see above).

103065 Pte Horace Crowle from Cornwall.

Casualty Form – Active service for 204038 Pte John Male
Casualty Form – Active Service for 103035 Pte John Male
Casualty Form – Active Service for 103065 Pte Horace Crowie

These documents confirm that Pte John Male and Pte Horace Crowle – and by inference Pte Frederick Blaydon – were posted to the 5th Reserve Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment, before proceeding to France from Folkestone on the 28th March 1918.

They arrived at “L” Infantry Base Depot and were transferred to the 2/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters on the 31st March 1918. This transfer was due to the losses suffered by the 2/6th Battalion (178th Bde, 59th Division) on the 21st March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive.

Neither John Male or Horace Cowle would survive the month

59th Division Casualties for April 1918

John Male was killed in action with B Company, 2/6th Battalion on the 16th April aged 48. He was the Son of Mr and Mrs Male of 13, Maytree Rd., Bitterne, Southampton. John’s body was exhumed near Kemmel Hall in July 1919 and he is now buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery.

Mount Kemmel – John’s body was found at 19 D, near to Kemmel Hall

Horace Cowle served with B Company and was listed as ‘missing in action’ during the defence of Kemmel on the 18th April 1918 aged 19. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Crowle of 1 Chapel Terrace, St. Blazey, Cornwall. Horace is commemorated on The Ploegsteert Memorial.

Horace had enlisted underage in November 1915. He arrived in France in December 1916 and was posted to the 1st Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. However, in January 1917 he was returned to England.

Frederick Blaydon was later transferred to the 1/6th Battalion when the 2/6th was reduced to Cadre in May 1918 and survived the War.

Frances Hallowes Esq: 2nd Derby Militia (Chatsworth Rifles)

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“CAVENDO TUTUS”: Safe through Caution

The 2nd Derby Militia were raised 12th January 1855 and designated the ‘Chatsworth Rifles’ on 22nd May 1855. They became the 3rd Battalion, the Derbyshire Regiment on 1st July 1881 finally amalgamating with 5th Battalion on 1st April 1891.

Writing slope box belonging to Francis Hallowes Esq
Francis Hallowes Esq: 2nd Derby Rifles

[The images of the writing slope box were kindly sent by Luke Kreciala]

Francis was born on the 28th April 1821 in Coed. He moved to Glapwell House near Chesterfield when his father inherited the estate. He was Commissioned into the 2nd Derby Militia as a Lieutenant on the 14th December 1863; promoted to Captain on the 14th December 1867 and retired in 1872. He died unmarried in December 1883 at the Hotel Valley in Anglesey.

Valley Hotel, Anglesey, North Wales. Date: circa 1910

Officers of the 1st and 2nd Debyshire Militia

Undated list of Officers of the 1st Derby and 2nd Derbyshire (Chatsworth Rifles). Note that Francis Hallowes is not listed, but his relative Thomas Richard Francis Brabazon Hallowes is (note misspelling of his surname). TRFBH Hallows was Commissioned into the 6th Dragoon Guards in 1873.

‘Kriegsgefangenen-Sendung’ from 70107 Pte George Wealthall of Nottingham

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George was posted to the 16th Battalion, the Chatsworth Rifles with 125 other men in early Sept 1916. These men were issued with the Regimental numbers 70052 to 70177.

In 1916 this numbering system was used to transfer men from the Territorial Battalions of the Sherwood Foresters to the Regular and Service Battalions under Army Order 204/A.C.I. 1499.

George was captured at Thiepval on 9th October during the attack on the SCHWABEN REDOUBT.

War Diary of the Chatsworth Rifles
Trench Map showing Schwaben Redoubt
The Schwaben Redoubt (Art.IWM ART 3000) image: A view across to a redoubt, with shattered trees and wide craters pocking the chalky soil. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/20829

George was interned in Giessen POW Camp when he sent this card.

118555 Pte Edmond Salmon

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British War medal

Edmond was part of a draft of at least 140 men that were mobilised and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, the Sherwood Foresters between 12th-13th June 1918. The 3rd Battalion was was part of the Tyne Garrison based in Sunderland and was responsible for training new recruits, along with the 4th (Extra Reserve), 5th (Reserve) and 7th (Reserve) Battalions.

The men were issued regimental numbers between (at least) 118431 (Frank Hartwell from Hucknall) and 118571 (Walter Kirkham). The service records of at least six of these men still exist, and based on these records it is possible to piece together the movements of Edmond and his comrades.

Following training the men disembarked from Dover to the Base Depot in France on the 4th October 1918 and were initially posted to the 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.

Army Service record for 118459 Pte Harry Hubbard, a boundary labourer from Sheepbridge in Chesterfield

However, before they could reach their unit they were transferred to the 1/6th (and 1/5th) Battalions, presumably to make up for losses during the storming of the Hindenburg Line between 29th September and 3rd October. This would be one of the last reinforcements that the 1/6th received – possible reinforcement number 57.

Over these next few days 105 years ago the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division start embark for France.

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Invite to 178th Brigade Special Service held on 11th February 1917
The King inspects the 59th Division at Fovant on the 13th February 1917
2/6th Battalion War Diary for February 1917

It took six days for the 59th Division to travel by train from their training areas in England to Southampton Docks. This mobilisation used 35 trains.

Ship timetable

It took over 6 days to move the Division from Southampton to Boulogne.

Trench art belonging to 241303 Private Frederick Heeley from Brampton…..

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Trench Art
Trench Art

Frederick Heeley was born in 1880 and was a colliery labourer (surface). He was married to Eva as recorded on the 1911 census.

Notts and Derby (Feb 1915 – Oct 1917)

Frederick enlisted in February 1915 and may have served with the 2/6th Battalion during the Easter Rising, but he certainly arrived in France with the 2/6th Battalion, 178th Brigade, 59th Division in February 1917.

Labour Corps (Oct 1917 – Sept 1919)

Many thanks to Mike Orme we now know that Frederick transferred to the Labour Corps in October 1917. The Service record for 403699 William Huff narrows the date to close to the 8th October 1917. By that time Frederick would have been 37 years old and had served with the trenches for 6 months. It is highly likely that he was no longer medically fit for front line service.

Medal Index Card

He was eventually discharged in September 1919 due to sickness. His pension record card states that he suffered from rheumatism that was attributable to his Army service. After the War he lived at 1 John Street in Brampton. Frederick died in 1960.

Pension Record
No. 1 John Street in Brampton

7684/242481 Pte John Wright of the 1/6th Battalion was granted an extension to his leave in December 1918……

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Leave extension
John Wright MIC
John Wright medal role

Amongst the other men granted leave extensions were:-

203731 L/Cpl William Davey – 11th Battalion – from Nottingham. William attested in December 1915 and was mobilised in April 1917. He was posted to the 5th Reserve Battalion for training. William arrived in France in October 1917 and was posted to the 11th Battalion. William was discharged in February 1919 and died in March 1923. His widow – Mabel Elizabeth – was awarded a pension,

Pension record

102925 L/Cpl Peter Copeland – 11th Battalion – actually served with the 2/6th Battalion after transferring from the KOSB in Spring 1918.

72184 Pte James Isles – 9th Battalion – James had previously served with the ASC and 17th Battalion (Welbeck Rangers).

24836 Pte William Kirkbridge – 15th Battalion.

120008 Pte Jonas Thornley – 8th Battalion.

61536 Pte Frederick Twigg – 9th Battalion.

72299 Pte Samuel Edward Grace of the 1/6th Battalion was wounded in October 1918

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Samuel was one of approximately 93 men who were transferred to the 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters from the Royal Flying Corps [date currently unknown]. He was subsequently posted to 1/6th Battalion.

His Medal Index Card records that he served overseas with the Royal Flying Corps before his transfer.

Medal Index Card
Medal Role

Edward appears on a wounded and sick list [H.A.29805], which records that he was admitted to the 12 (St Louis USA) General Hospital in Rouen on the 2nd October 1918. It is most likely that he was wounded during the 46th North Midland Division attack o the Hindenburg Line – see here.

Wounded list

A very poignant letter from the mother of 203156 Pte Herbert Henry Smith of Mansfield…..

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A very poignant letter from the mother of Herbert Henry Smith from Mansfield to the War Office and received on the 11 February 1918

“Dear Sir, I would thank you very much if you could kindly forward to me any belongings of my son, Pte HH Smith of the 1st Batt Sherwood Foresters……..he died through wounds received in action on his was way down to the main dressing station on November 20 1917”

Register of Soldiers effects

The Infantry Records Department of No. 6 District (Lichfield) were not instructed to dispatch Hebert’s belongings to Sarah (his mother) until 15th March 1918 and she finally received them around 25th March.

Army Effects Form – 118A
Army Form B. 104 – 126
Herbert’s Grave

Herbert is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery and Commemorated on St Lawrence the Martyr Roll of Honour.

Roll of Honour
Pension Record

Sarah Jane Smith received a pension for the loss of her son.

Herbert’s Service with the Sherwood Foresters

Herbert was called up for Service on the 16th November 1916 and posted to the 5th Reserve Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters two days later. Following training in Saltfleet he embarked for France on the 4th October 1917 and arrived at the 14th Infantry Base Depot. He was posted to the 1st Battalion and joined them ‘in the field’ on the 18th October.

At the time of his death the 1st Battalion were holding the front line trenches near to Bellevue and were being heavily shelled. During the month of November the 1st Battalion lost 2 Officers and 21 other ranks killed, 63 other ranks wounded.

War Diary for entry for November 1917
1st Battalion casualties for November 1917 and the commutative total to date