Author Archives: mikebriggs1910

Unknown's avatar

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 this day 2nd September 1916

No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]


Septr 2: Back at rest. Received draft of 10 signallers making strength 36.

[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]


2nd: Enemies artillery showed some activity. Right Sector Support line being shelled & various points in the left sector being registered.

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

139th Brigade Casualties for August 1916

139 casualties August 1916

One Officer (Thomas Inglesant) and 2 other ranks (4443 Pte Thomas Stoppard and 3944 Cpl Robert William Edward Johnson) were killed in action and buried at BELLACOURT MILITARY CEMETERY (see below). Bellacourt


In addition 5 Officers and 45 Other Ranks were wounded during the month of August.

All five Officers survived their wounding:-

  • 1 unkown Officer of the 5th Battalion was slightly wounded and remained at duty.
  • 2/Lt Reginald Boutwood Emmett from the 1/7th Battalion.
  • 2/Lt WS Jones from the 1/8th Battalion.

Four of the wounded men died at the 20th Casualty Clearing Station at Warlincourt Halte:-

  • 3007 Pte Charles McCreery from the 1/6th Battalion.
  • 4861 Pte John Thomas Elliott from the 1/5th Battalion.
  • 3683 Pte John Arthur Andrews from the 1/6th Battalion.
  • 2160 Pte William Hallows from the 1/6th Battalion.

Five wounded men died at Hospitals in either Le Treport or Calais,

  • 3989 Pte William Poyser of the 1/6th Battalion, who was wounded on the 20th July,  died at the 7th Canadian General Hospital.
  • 3330 Pte Harry Adams of the 1/7th Battalion, but it is not known when he was wounded.
  • 4190 Pte John Burke of the 1/8th Battalion who died in the 35th General Hospital of accidental bomb wounds to the right thigh. John had only been in France for 10 days.
  • 1661 Pte John Ferris of the 1/6th Battalion who suffered a GSW and fractured right femur on the 31st July. He died of shock following amputation on the 9th August.
  • 3709 Pte Simeon Kent of the 1/7th Battalion who died of nephritis on the 11th August.

Thomas George Inglesant

killed in action on “a quite day”

The only officer killed was during August was Thomas George Inglesant who was the son of John Herbert and Annie Inglesant of 344 Humberstone Rd. in Leicester. He was 25 years old and is buried in BELLACOURT MILITARY CEMETERY.

Inglesant MICThomas was Commissioned into the Robin Hoods from the Leicestershire Territorials in October 1915 and proceeded to France sometime in 1916.

Inglesant killed Inglesant medal Role

All available records confirm that Thomas was killed in action on the 20th August 1916, but there is no mention in the 1/7th Battalion War Diary and the 139th Brigade just records…….quite day

 

On this day 31st August 1916

4440 Seaton31.8.1916 BELLACOURT: Capt W Seaton rejoined from 7th Battalion.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]


Talus Kershaw31st: Slightly more hostile sniping noticed. At midnight a party of 20 NCOs and men under 2/Lt EVANS of the 6th Battalion guided by the Battalion Scouts under 2/Lt Kershaw (above) attempted to raid the enemies listening post at the TALUS. After passing the first row of wire successfully the party were stopped by some new wire which was found to be too thick to cut by hand. The party was brought back without loss.

Official Report Talus 30 August 1916 from WO-95-2694-1_1_1-6th

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

31st Trench Duty 28th August – 3rd September 1916

28.8.1916 TRENCHES: Relieved 5th Battalion in RIGHT SECTOR.

Reinforcements August 191628.8.1916 TRENCHES: Draft of 11 Signallers and 15 Lewis Gunners arrived.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

3276 Pidcock

Amongst the men that arrived in the draft (part of the 17th Reinforcement) was 3276 Pte John Rupert Pidcock (1894-1968) a gardener from Darley Dale near to Matlock. John was granted Proficeny Pay Class I on the 1st July 1917. He was later transferred to the Labour Corps.


28th: 6th Battalion relieved the 5th in the RIGHT SECTOR & 8th Battalion relieved the 7th in the LEFT SECTOR.

GrosvilleA few shells fired into GROSVILLE during the evening.

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

On this day 27th August 1916

No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]


Oak Street27th: Enemy fired about 20 field gun shells into the front line of the left sector and also did slight damage to OAK STREET during the morning.

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

On this day 26th August 1916

26.8.1916 BAILLEUVAL: Battn ceremonial drill and inspection by G.O.C. Division.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]


Augt 26: Went for so called rest – Genl did a review as in peacetime. Result rest meant much harder work for everyone that war does.

[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]


26: Situation normal.

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