1/5th Battalion casualties for July 1918
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On this day 29th July 1918: Ernest Gibbs dies of wounds aged 21
330906 Pte Ernest Gibbs was the son of Mr and Mrs Robert Gibbs of Derby. He had previously served with the 21st Battalion before joining the 1/6th Battalion in France.
On these days 27th-31st July 1918: Quite days….
27.7.18: Quite day. Three patrols were out during the night. One encountered the enemy.
28.7.18: Quite day. Some enemy movement was observed in X11a, X15b, X9d, X16b and X16d.
29.7.18: Quite day. Enemy shelled tracks and roads throughout the night with 10.5cm HE and a small percentage of Blue Cross Gas shells.
30.7.18: Quite day. Enemy fired M. TMs on MESPLAUX and LES FACONS during the day.
31.7.18: One man missing from X.8.c.80.20. Thought to have been lost in the early morning.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 27th July 1918
27.7.18 TRENCHES: 2/Lieut J NEWELL proceeded to 39th Battalion MG Corps for 1 months attachment as Company Transport Officer and struck off strength.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
On this day 26th July 1918: Edwin Charles Brodbeck was killed on patrol
1/5th Battalion casualties – working party or raid?
Buried in a North Midland Division Plot in Fouquieres Churchyard Extension
203652 Pte Pte David Radford aged 21. Son of Mary Radford, of 63, Cecil St., Derby, and the late Henry Radford.
74226 Pte Richard Robinson aged 19. Son of Richard and Georgiana Robinson, of 11, Lowther Hill, Forest Hill, London.
73rd Trench Duty: 25th July – 2nd August 1918
25.7.18 TRENCHES: Battalion relieved 1/5th Sherwood Foresters in the LEFT SUBSECTOR of the ESSARS SECTOR.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
24.7.18: Enemy displayed increased activity. During the early morning a barrage was placed upon our front and support lines in left subsection and several hostile parties were seen: one of which attempted to approach our post at X.15.a.60.05. This was repulsed by Lewis Gun and Rifle Fire. Five patrols were out, two of which were by day.
It’s possible that 18833 Pte Robert William Hunt was killed at this time, but his body was not recovered and he is Commemorated on the Loos Memorial.
25.7.18: Quite day. Further information re attempted raid yesterday morning shows that about 30 of the enemy were seen by our reconnoitring patrol in front of Left Company. Two patrols were out by day and three by night. One encountered the enemy. 6th Sherwood Foresters relieved 5th Sherwood Foresters in Left subsection.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
At this time the 1/5th Battalion lost two young Officers
Arthur Carlton Pearce was killed in action aged 24
Son of Arthur and Margaret Pearce of 17 Fellows Rd., Hampstead in London. Served from 1914.
Alexander Claude Kirby was killed aged 24
Eldest son of Ernest William and Katharine Sophia Kirby of Woodend House, Walsall, Staffs.; husband of Williametta Kirby (nee Mayo) of Walsall.
On these days 21st – 25th July 1918: New Officers arrive
21.7.18 VERQUIN: Battalion relieved 1/6th South Staffordshire’s in Brigade Support on the ESSARS SECTOR.
22.7.18
92865 Pte Archer Harrison was made Prisoner of War.
24.7.18 TRENCHES: 2/Lieut REH STOTT and 2/Lieut DJ CLARKSON joined Battalion.
25.7.18 TRENCHES: 2/Lieut LAB BECHER joined Battalion.
25.7.18 TRENCHES: 2/Lieut SN DEURANCE proceeded to England for report to War Office.
Donald James Clarkson served with the 1/6th Battalion from 24th July to 8th August
Donald James Clarkson died 2 weeks later aged 18.
“He was carrying out a particularly difficult task, accompanied by two N.C.O.’s, and had gained valuable information, when he was shot by the enemy. I deplore greatly the loss of this valuable and gallant young officer, who promised to be a credit to his battalion.”
[Nottingham Evening Post’, 16th August 1918]
Robert Edwin Hugh Stott served with the 1/6th Battalion from 24th July 1918 until 5th March 1919
Lancelot Allen Blakeney Becher served with the 1/6th Battalion from 24th July 1918 until the end of the War
On this day 21st July 1918: Lieutenant Charles Hubert Hicks was killed in action aged 42
Son of Charles Thompson Hicks and Lilian Martha Hicks, of Great Holland Hall; born at Gt. Holland, Essex.
139th Infantry Brigade Show on 20th July 1918
Amidst the carnage of the Western Front the 139th Infantry Brigade held a horse show and sports day.
The various competitions and prize money
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 