7.3.1916 INVERGNY: SHROVE TUESDAY football in village. Football presented by Ashbourne Committee. 1st goal by Private Robinson of “C” Company.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
7th: Brigade did not move.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
For a history of the Royal Shrovetide Football see here.
No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]
4.3.1916: Brig.-General Commanding the Brigade, Brigade Major, Staff Captain, Brigade Grenade Officer and Brigade Signalling Officers proceeded by bus to ACQ and Mont St. Eloy to reconnoitre Headquarters and line to be taken over from the 152nd French Division – Very bad day – snowing all the time and bus ditched itself – did not arrive at the French Headquarters till 2-30 p.m., and it was therefore an unsatisfactory day as time was so short – arrived back at 9 p.m.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
16.2.1916 BEAUMETZ: Lt G.F. Gardner, 2/Lt T Grimshaw and 35 other ranks from Battalion Machine Gun Section proceeded to join 139th Brigade Machine Gun Company.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
The numbers recorded in the War Diary appear to be incorrect - see below.
16.2.1916: The Brigade Machine Gun Company concentrated today under Capt F. B. ROBINSON in billets in BERNAVILLE.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Officers of the newly established 139th Brigade Machine Gun Company Commanded by Captain Francis Bradbury Robinson.
Army Service record for 3259 Pte George Harry Fearn, an electrician from Clay Cross, recording his transfer to the 139 BDE MACH GUN CORP on the 16th February 1916.
In late 1915 the Battalion Machine Gun Section comprised a Lieutenant, Sergeant, Corporal, 2 drivers, batman and 12 Privates that were trained in the maintenance, transport, loading and firing of the Vickers heavy machine gun. These men made up two six-man gun teams.
2.1.1916 ISBERGUES: Notification received that Lt.-Col. G.D. Goodman, Capt V.O. Robinson, Regtl Sergt Maj. H.H. Jackman, Pte J Hamer had been mentioned in Sir John French’s Dispatches.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
25.11.1915 LA COUTRE: Major Edward HALL reported for duty.
25.11.1915 LA COUTRE: Bombing enterprise undertaken by Lt. W.A. LYTLE & bombers on German trenches. See report herewith.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Report in War Diary Appendix 1915 27 Nov Boars Head
For more details on the Boars Head Raid – see here
Nov 25th. Lt. J. & Cpl. L. went up to trenches in morning & found bombs, so we went up after dinner, but came back owing to German shells -–some very close – rotten experience. 12 cas in B Co. C Co relieved B at night in front line.
[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]
5.10.1915 HINGES: Details proceeded to MAZINGARBE and joined Bn who came out of trenches and billeted in MAZINGARBE.
[WO/95/2694]
Oct 5th. Rose at about 9 a.m. after a good night rest. Guarding blankets etc. in morning, & began packing up after dinner. Left Hinges at 4 p.m. & got to Sailly about 8 p.m. Stopped in an empty house for the night. Batt returned from trenches about midnight with many German souvenirs.
[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]
We de-bussed after about an hour proceeding through the approach trenches we reached the battle front, the noise, the carnage and the stench beggars description, we were in a part of the front that a kilted regiment had attacked, their casualties had been considerable, and their transport which had been formed up to follow them if the attack had been successful, but the attack had not been successful, and the whole convoy had been destroyed by the German artillery fire.
There were hundreds of dead and dying mules and horses, smashed wagons and stores of every description. The dead drivers were left there, but the wounded had been taken away. We were ordered to make some sort of order out of the chaos and to prepare to join in the attack, but the German artillery had decided to give us Hell and continued to pour a hail of heavy shell fire to smash our further attempt at renewed attack.
[2305 Pte. Frank Longson]
1961 L/Cpl John Marsland, a farm labourer from Kettleshulme, was transferred to England on the SS Atlanta due to being underage for overseas service.
John has originally enlisted in May 1913 and gave his age as 17 years and 1 month; however, the 1911 Census records his birth in 1899 making him only about 14 years old.
John was originally tested into “H” Company, which was under the command of Captain Reginald Saxby.
After returning to England John was attached to the 29th Provisional Battalion in January 1916. He was temporarily released for agricultural work on his father farm in July and August 1916 before joining the 6th Reserve Battalion on 11th August 1916.
John returned to France in December 1917 and was posted to the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters and was reported missing on the 27th May 1918. He became a prisoner of war and was finally repatriated on the 2nd December 1918.
30.9.1915: Enemy shelled very heavily SPOIL BANK & trenches in afternoon and at 6.35 pm exploded a mine under trench 29 & right angle trench. Casualties resulting from this were:-
KILLED 4 other ranks; MISSING BELIEVED KILLED 1 Officer (2/Lt LG Dickinson) & 12 other ranks; WOUNDED 20 other ranks.
Continuous shelling of all our trenches.
Bn relieved by 7th LINCOLNS & 7th E YORKS and marched into bivouacs at transport lines. Casualties other than those above:- WOUNDED 3 other ranks (including accidental).
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Sept 30th. On sentry again. Dull day but no rain. About 6-30 p.m. enemy blew up a mine under our trench & bombarded us well. 5 buried, 5 killed, 14 wounded in “C” Co. 5 aerial torpedoes on “A” Co. H. May wounded. Awful experience.
Relieved about 10 p.m. by 7th Lincs (K’s) Divn, & then went digging buried chaps out & repairing trench round crater, till about midnight. Then set off to billets. Roads wretched. Fell out feet sore & quite done up. Stopped about half way, had hot cocoa & put my pack on cooker.
[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]
The 17 men killed or missing presumed killed were:-
| 2/Lt | Lewis George Dickinson | 30.9.15 | Killed in action and buried at Spoilbank. | |
| 1812 | Pte | James Bradley | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 2524 | Pte | Charles Carter | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 2152 | Pte | Harold Chapman | 30.9.15 | Killed in action and buried at Chester Farm. |
| 2276 | Pte | Thomas D’Arcy | 30.9.15 | Killed in action and buried at Chester Farm. |
| 2288 | Pte | Oscar Goodwin | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 1953 | L/Cpl | Arthur Harding | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 1437 | Pte | Alfred Hollingshead | 30.9.15 | Killed in action and buried at Chester Farm. |
| 1785 | Pte | Frederick Hooley | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 1892 | Pte | George Partridge | 30.9.15 | Killed in action and buried at Chester Farm. |
| 3561 | Pte | Albert Roberts | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 3159 | Pte | Charles Roberts | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 1448 | Sgt | William Wibberley | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 3550 | Pte | James Wardle | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 1667 | Pte | Samuel Yates | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 1400 | Pte | George Bailey | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
| 2481 | Pte | John Thompson | 30.9.15 | Reported missing believed killed. |
The bodies of 12 men were not recovered following the explosion and they were initially reported ‘as missing’ by Colonel Goodman on form B213; however, correspondence from DAAG 2 confirmed that the men had been killed. Only the mother of Private 2524 Charles Samuel Carter received any personal belongings from her son.
The body of Lt Dickenson was later recovered and he was buried in Spoilbank Cemetery, whilst Privates 2152 H Chapman, 2276 T D’arcy, Hollingshead and 1892 G Partridge are all buried in Chester Farm.
Wounded included :-
| 1179 | Pte | George Wood | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 1192 | Pte | Richard Simmonds | 30.9.15 |
Wounded in action and admitted to 1st NMFA and 46 Div CCS with shock on 2.10.15. Returned to Battalion on 10.10.15. |
| 1440 | Pte | Ernest Turner | 30.9.15 |
Wounded in action and admitted to 1st NMFA and 46 Div CCS with shock on 2.10.15. Returned to Battalion on 10.10.15. |
| 1601 | Pte | William Taylor | 30.9.15 |
GS wound to right fingers and admitted to 1st NMFA, 17 CCS. Transferred to 46 NMD Convalescent Depot on 5.10.15 and returned to Battalion on 3.11.15. |
| 1684 | Cpl | Charles Green | 30.9.15 |
Shrapnel wound in the back and admitted to 12 CCS. Re-joined Battalion on 13.10.15. |
| 2196 | Pte | Harold May | 30.9.15 | Wounded in left forearm. |
| 1771 | Pte | Charles Tunnicliffe | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field and returned to Battalion. |
| 1859 | Cpl | William Jackson | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 1880 | Pte | John Jevons | 30.9.15 |
GSW in right foot and transferred to England on 13.10.15. Discharged on 19.9.17. |
| 1985 | Pte | JA Mee | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 2056 | Pte | Hubert Birley | 30.9.15 |
GSW spine and injury to back and shoulder and transferred to England on 6.10.15. |
| 2100 | Pte | George Manifold | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 2113 | Sgt | James Atterbury | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 2134 | Pte | Arthur Hollis | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field and returned to Battalion. |
| 2259 | Pte | Walter Gregory | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 2310 | Pte | John Naylor | 30.9.15 |
GSW left extremities and transferred to England on 6.10.15. Transferred to Royal West Surrey Regt. |
| 2564 | Pte | Ernest Short | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field and returned to Battalion. |
| 2837 | Pte | John Nall | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field and returned to Battalion. |
| 2691 | Pte | William Payne | 30.9.15 |
Wounded in field and transferred to England. Discharged due to wounds on 3.5.16 (para 392 XVI KR). |
| 3127 | Pte | Percy Holford | 30.9.15 | Wounded in the field and returned to Battalion. |
| 3563 | Pte | Frank Lowndes | 30.9.15 |
Transferred to England and discharged due to wounds on 9.12.16 (para 392 XVI KR). |
No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Sept 9th. Same as yesterday. Lt Storrs Fox wounded, so Lt Percival took his place as M.G. officer. Our front trenches & also E.Yorks bombarded by Germans. Not many cas in our batt bit more in E.Yorks. Signallers monkey inj.
[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]
1938 Pte. William Mellors a fetler from Angel Yard in Chesterfield suffered from rheumatism and was admitted to 1st NMFA, 10 CCS and 23 General Hospital. Transferred to 46 NMD Base Depot on 24.9.15 and re-joined Battalion on 7.10.15.
The signallers monkey is mentioned for the first time.
29.8.1915 Canal I.33/34.C: Relieved by 5th Battalion. Casualties OR died of wounds 2, wounded 11. Much shelling during tour.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Aug 29th. Off duty from stand down till 2 p.m. Then on fatigue till 4-30. Packed up after tea and were relieved at 8 p.m. by 5th S. F.
Done 6 days in this time. Nice morning, but rain later, so roads rather nasty when going out. Very few cases this time. Shaw and Smithurst injured by shell which failed to explode etc.
[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]
The 11 wounded men were:-
| 2007 | Pte | Charles Whittaker |
25.8.15 |
Influenza and admitted to 1st NMFA and 46 DRS. Returned to duty to Battalion on 1.9.15. |
| 1512 | Pte | Frank Smithurst | 25.8.15 |
Bruised left hand by shell which failed to explode and admitted to the 46 DRS. Returned to Battalion on 31.8.15. |
| 1672 | Pte | George Shaw | 25.8.15 | Wounded by a shell that failed to explode. |
| 1986 | Pte | John Poundall | 25.8.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 3491 | Pte | Thomas Wilson | 25.8.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 2279 | Pte | Ernest Emerson | 27.8.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 3083 | Pte | Joseph Dudley | 27.8.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 1970 | Pte | Thomas Sheldon |
27.8.15 |
Nervous debility and admitted to 1st NMFA and 46 DRS. Re-joined battalion on 5.9.15. |
| 656 | Sergt | Harrison Bramhall | 28.8.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 1620 | Pte | David Clough | 28.5.15 | Shell wound in right foot and admitted to 1st NMFA, 10 CCS and 11 General Hospital. Transferred to 1 CD on 26.9.15 and returned to duty on 3.11.15. |
| 1578 | Pte | Peter Bates | 28.8.15 | Wounded in the field. |
| 2658 | Pte | Thomas Pugh | 28.8.15 |
Buried in shell explosion, suffered shock and transferred to England on 30.8.15. Discharged due to sickness on 3.5.16 (para 392 XVI KR). |
The 139th Brigade formed a Corps of Snipers [5th Battalion War Diary WO/95/2695]
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 