Category Archives: Casualties

On these days 17th and 18th August 1918: the enemy are preparing to withdraw

17-18.8.1918: Quite days. Patrols were out during hours of daylight and darkness. Enemy’s attitude indicated preparation for withdrawal.

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


3035/240862 Cpl John Warren was killed in action aged 37. Son of John and Elizabeth Warren, of Danes Moor, Derbyshire; husband of Ruth Mellors (formerly Warren), of 92, Flash Lane, Bramley, Rotherham. Enlisted 1914 and arrived in France in June 1915.

5947 Company Sergeant Major William Thomas Flanagan died at home aged 63. Son of Mortimer and Amelia Flanagan; husband of Florence Ruth Flanagan of Crossings Avenue, Manchester Road, Chapel-en-le Frith.

On the 15th and 16th August 1918: the Battalion suffers casualties

15.8.18 GORRE: Battalion relieved by in Left Subsector of the GORRE SECTOR by the 1/5th Lincolnshire Regiment and took over the Left Subsection of the ESSARS SECTOR from the 5th South Staffs Regiment.

16.8.18 ESSARS: Battalion relieved in Left Subsection of the ESSARS SECTOR by the 5th Sherwood Foresters.

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


16.8.18 ESSARS SECTION: Hostile artillery extremely active. During the early morning short intense barrages were put down on the front and support areas, This had the appearance of counter preparation. Became quite after 7am. Five patrols were out, two of which were by day.

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

5031/266640 Pte Arthur Haywood from Castle Donnington. Previously served with the 1/7th Battalion.

2077/240401 Cpl George Miles MM aged 23. Son of George and Louisa Miles, of Disley, Stockport. A pre War Territorial who arrived in France with the 46th Division in February 1915.

1893/240319 Cpl James White aged 23. Son of Eliza and the late James White, of Eckington, nr. Sheffield. A pre War Territorial who arrived in France with the 46th Division in February 1915. Previously wounded on 1st July 1916.

4155/241380 Cpl John White aged 33. Son of Mrs. E. White, of Stonebroom, Alfreton, Derbyshire; husband of S. Jane White, of 442, Stonebroom, Alfreton, Derbyshire. Enlisted in early 1915 and arrived in France in November 1915.

New information on John Thomas Archer killed in action on 18th June 1918

Thanks to JohnArcher’s great nephew David I can now post additional information and pictures.

See the original post here

7627/203257 L/Cpl John Thomas Archer aged 24. The son of William and Catherine Archer of 19 Grayling St., Derby. Jack arrived in France in December 1916 and only served overseas with 1/5th Battalion. Previously enlisted in Derbyshire Yeomanry in November 1915.

“He was killed together with 2 privates by a shell which fell direct in the trench at 2 o’clock in the morning.”

“One of my best NCOs; courageous, efficient and willing”.

Captain Norman Hubert Glew

[Derby Daily Telegraph Wednesday 26 June 1918] 

Derby Railway works (now Bombardier)

Many thanks to David Archer for sending the pictures and additional information.

On this day 13th August 1918: 2/Lt Lake and Pte Bernard Taylor missing on patrol

13.8.18: 2/Lt Lake reported ‘missing’ off patrol. This Officer led a fighting patrol against an enemy post which he had previously reconnoiter by day.

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

14.3.18: Artillery and trench mortars fairly active. Six patrols were out – one of which was engaged at close quarters by 2 Megs. One Officer (2/Lt TA LAKE 6th Sherwood Foresters) and one private are missing.

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


Thomas Ashton Lake

Also missing was 2149/240438 Pte Bernard Taylor a quarryman from Tideswall and pre-War Territorial.

On these days 10th-12th August 1918: quite days…..but there were casualties

10.8.18: Quite day. Enemy gas shelled our left sub sector.

11.8.18: Quite day. Six patrols were out during night.

12.8.18: A good deal of blue and yellow cross was fired into Gore Wood: otherwise the day was quite. Six patrols were out.

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


202174 Pte Albert Butterworth aged 30. Son of Matilda Butterworth, of 31, East Barnet Rd., New Barnet, Herts, and the late William Butterworth. Attested in March 1916.

102477 Pte Harry Glover aged 19. Son of Jane Glover, of 60, Ruby St., Old Kent Rd., London. Called up for service in May 1917.

265576 Pte James McGraw aged 23. Son of Eliza McGraw, of 30, Lambert Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham, and the late Joseph McGraw.

On this day 9th August 1918

9th Aug GORRE: 2/Lieut DJ CLARKSON killed in action when on patrol.

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


9.8.18 GORRE SECTOR: Right Battalion HQ shelled with 200 10.5 & 15cm shells. 8 patrols out. one of which encountered the enemy. 2/Lt CLARKSON 6th SF was killed, his body being Brough in.

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

On the night 5th/6th August 1918 – a working party suffers casualties

Night 5th/6th Aug:

Battalion provided a working party of 500 Other Ranks on cable trench in forward area (ESSARS).

Lieut F TOUCH DCM wounded in action.


3129/240913 PteThomas James Neep died of wounds aged 26