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]
30.12.15 ISEBERGUES: Promotion No 6953 C.S.M. BROWNE 6th Sherwood Foresters to be 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters dated 13th December 1915.
In 1911 6953 Sergeant Ernest Brown was posted from the 1st Battn to “H” Company of the 6th Battalion.
He was killed by shell fire on the 20th November 1917 aged 35 and was later reburied in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery. His Medals were claimed by his Widow in 1922.
Is Ernest on these pictures of “H” (Whaley Bridge) Company NCOs?
Taken in 1912
Taken in 1911
23.12.15 ROBECQ: GAZETTE: 2/Lt W.A. Lytle awarded Military Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry on 25.11.15 at BOARS HEAD.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
8.12.1915 ROBECQ: Fur coats handed in to ordnance together with all special server weather clothing.
2/Lt G F Gardner and 13 other ranks arrived from Base.
The men that arrived from Base at this time were most likely those that had been wounded or taken ill and had recovered sufficiently to return to duty.
6.12.1915 ROBEQ: 2/Lt R.W. Cash reported for duty from the 2nd Entrenching Battalion.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
3.12.1915 LA COUTRE: GAZETTE. Major J. E. BLACKWALL of 6th Bn Sherwood Foresters is transfered to the 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters dated 16th October 1915 & promoted to Temp Lt.-Colonel.
3.12.1915 Trenches: Battn relieved in RIGHT SECTOR by 9th WELSH REGT. and moved into billets at RICHEBOURG the 46th DIVISION being under orders for EGYPT.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
3178 Pte Albert Fox a barman from Matlock who was wounded and transferred to England.
1835 Pte John Sheppard a coal miner from Stonegravels and a pre-War Territorial who served with “A” Company and suffered a septic toe. After treatment in the 1st North Midland Field Ambulance Albert rejoined the Battalion 2 days later.
28.11.1915 Vielle Chapelle: 2/Lt W. H. HOLDERNESS to Hospital sick.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
William Holderness was suffering from a mild attack of trench foot due to very wet conditions and was treated in No. 4 General Hospital.
Nov 28th. Breakfast in bed about 8 a.m. and had another sleep till dinnertime, then got up – boots frozen hard. Set off for trenches on fatigue at 5 p.m. When near Neuve Chapelle fell over wires on ground & sprained left knee. Very dark & ground very hard because of frosts. Taken to dressing station then to field amb, then to hospital at Vielle Chapelle. Fairly good night.
[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]
George returned to Hospital in England and was discharged in March 1916 due to his injury.
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]
23.11.1915: Battalion relieved 8th Sherwood Foresters in RIGHT Sector.
23.11.1915: Captain EH Heathcote edgar to 8th Sherwood Foresters for duty.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Nov 23rd. Same as yesterday till dinnertime. Packed up in afternoon & set off to trenches near N.C. at 5 p.m. C Co in reserve line again, but I stopped with salvage party at hdqrs – quite comfy.
[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]
The days were in the front line one were often taken up with repairing the fire trenches and outlying posts and listening for German activity.
The 1/8th Battalion War Diary provides some details:-
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 