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!).

On these days 24th and 25th January 1917

24.1.1917: Lieut G Glossop struck off strength being sick in England.glossop g

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


24th-25th: Situation normal.

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


1/8th Battalion suffered three fatal casualties on this dayfonquevillers.jpg

knee stafford spenceThe three men are buried next to each other in Plot 1, Row F

Reginla Knee4018 Pte Reginald Knee the only son of Rose Knee of 35 Cross St. in Newark. Reginald was an apprentice turner and enlisted in the 3/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters at Newark in May 1915 aged 19. Following training he arrived in France on the 16th July 1916 with the 14th Reinforcement.4018 Knee


4538 Pte John Harry Spence son of William and Myra Spence of Mount Sorrel in Loughborough.

Private J. Spence (21), of the Sherwood Foresters, was killed by a trench mortar shell on Jan. 23. His parents live at Granite Corner, Mountsorrel. Letters have been received from the deceased’s officer and the regimental chaplain, the latter speaking of him as being a very fine man, upright and honest, and a hard working soldier, adding that he died a noble death. Before his enlistment Spence was employed at the Campion Cycle Works, at Loughborough.

[The Leicester Mercury, Friday February 2nd 1917]


4368 Pte John Vellam Stafford son of William and the late Sarah Stafford of the Green, Radcliffe-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire. For more info ration please see here.

On this day 24th January 1917, 1554 Pte Roy Woodhouse died of wounds received on the 1st July 1916

Poppy1554 WoodhouseRoy Woodhouse was a painter and decorator and enlisted into “E” Matlock Company in January 1912 aged 19. He was the son of Elias and Clara Woodhouse of “Tor Side” on Jackson Rd in  Matlock.1554 woodhouse service form

Roy arrived in France with the 46th North Midland Division in February 1915 and suffered a gun shot wound in the left forearm on the 1st July 1916. After treatment in the 3rd North Midland Field Ambulance20 Casualty Clearing Station and 16 General Hospital he returned to England on the 6th July 1917.1554 Woodhouse Command Depot

Following treatment Roy was transferred to the Command Depot at Ballyvonare before transferring the 5th Reserve Battalion Sherwood Foresters on the 24th January 1917. He died later that day in Strensall Hospital from haemorrhage in the the lateral ventricle and is buried in St Giles Church in Matlock.matlock_st_giles

42nd Trench Duty 23rd – 27th January 1917

23.1.1917: Relieved 5th Battalion

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


23rd: Enemy airplanes flew very low over FONQUEVILLERS. 6th and 8th Battalions take over the front line.

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


3815 Pte John Bennett of “B” Company and 4311 Pte William Else of “D” Company (gas poisoning) were wounded at this time.3815 Bennett4311 Else

On these days 21st and 22nd January 1917

No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]

21st and 22nd: Enemy registered both our sub sectors. Enemy aircraft action.

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


The men killed or fatally wounded at this time

3354 Pte Vincent Horridge

read Vincent’ story here3354 Horridge3354-horridge.jpg

4666 Pte Francis William Henry Goodchild4666 Goodchild record

4216 Pte Joseph Chapman4216 Chapman

On this day 18th January 1917

18.1.1917: 2nd Lieutenants TAD MABBOTT and AL PAMER joined Battalion. Surgeon Major AW SHEA on one months leave.

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


18th: A quite day.

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

On this day 18th January 1917 Captain Thomas Swann died

Swann Thomas

Captain Thomas Swann (1860 – 1917)

Thomas Swann was an original member of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, the Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment)

  • Appointed to the Command of the North Midland Brigade Supply Detachment on the 20th July 1896.
  • Supernumerary and resigns his Commission and Command of the North Midland Volunteer Infantry Brigade Supply Detachment on 18th January 1899.
  • 2nd Lieutenant T Swann to be Lieutenant dated 19th September 1903.
  • Granted the Honorary rank of Captain on the 23rd December 1905, but resigned his Commission with permission to retain his rank.
  • From the Territorial Force Reserve to General list on 11th February 1916.
  • Administrative Centre of the 6th Battn Sherwood Foresters (c1915-16).

Swann 1915

swann grave