Category Archives: On this day

On this day 16th February 1916

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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]

 The 139th Bde Machine Gun Company139 Bde MGC

Officers of the newly established 139th Brigade Machine Gun Company Commanded by Captain Francis Bradbury Robinson.3259 Fearn

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.

The 1/6th men that transferred to the 139th Brigade Machine Gun Company were as follows:-

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.

  • 1265 Sergt. Dudley Spicer (24226)
  • 811 Pte. George Handbury (24227)
  • 3334 Pte.  John H Watson (24228)
  • 2068 Pte. Alfred Allen (24229)
  • 2707 Pte. George EH Hurt (24230)
  • 1701 Pte. Harry Ellison (24231)
  • 1779 Pte. William Ollerenshaw (24232)
  • 1784 Pte. Frank Swann (24233)
  • 1800 Pte. William E Hughes (24234)
  • 1801 Pte. Edgar Porter (24235)
  • 1841 Pte. George F Johnson (24236)
  • 1846 Pte. James White (24237)
  • 2223 Pte. James Dudley (24238)
  • 3259 Pte. George Henry Fearn (24239)
  • 3340 Cpl. George Bagshaw (24240)
  • 3652 Pte. Arthur Marshall (24241)
  • 1656 Pte. Hedley Bennett (24242)

 

On this day 14th February 1916

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14.2.1916 BEAUMETZ: Lieut D.S. Fox arrived from England and took over Command of Lewis Gun Detachment.Storrs Fox

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

1216 Pte Thomas Hambleton a quarry man from Over Haddon and a Pre-War Territorial of “D” Company returned to England on the SS La Marguerite pending discharge as ‘time expired’. 1216 HambletonLa Marguerite

On this day 11th February 1916

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11.2.1916 BEAUMETZ: 2/Lt W H Holderness rejoined on expiration of sick leave in England.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

10.2.1916: Brigade moved to new area as under, in accordance with Operation Order No. 42.

  • Brigade Headquarters: CHATEAU RIBEAUCOURT
  • 5th Sherwood Foresters: BERNAVILLE
  • 6th Sherwood Foresters: BEAUMETZ
  • 7th Sherwood Foresters: PROUVILLE
  • 8th Sherwood Foresters: RIBEAUCOURT

11-15.2.1916: Brigade training at above billets.

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

Ribeaucourt Chateau

On this day 10th February 1916

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10.2.1916 COULONVILLERS: Battalion marched into billets at BEAUMETZ.Roser 1916

10.2.1916 BEAUMETZ: Letter of thanks received by Lt COL GOODMAN (through the Foreign Office) from FRAU ROSER, wife of CAPTAIN ROSER who fell from a German Aeroplane by SANCTUARY WOOD on the 25th July 1915 an was buried by the Battalion, his flight badge having been sent to his widow. See here.RoserPoppy

On these days 5th – 10th February

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

The following men were taken sick:-

  • 2025 Pte John Bibby a groom gardener from Litton who enlisted in June 1913 aged 27 and was an original member of “D” Company. He arrived in France with the 46th Division in February.2025 Bibby
  • 3256 Pte Harry Mee from Clay Cross who enlisted in October 1914 aged 24. He arrived in France with the II Reinforcement in June 1915 and joined the 1/6th Battalion in the field in October 1915.3256 Mee
  • 4060 Pte George Edward Abbott a miner from Whittington Moor who enlisted in March 1915 aged 32. He arrived in France with the 4th Reinforcement in October 1915 and joined the 1/6th Battalion in the field in December 1915.4060 Abbott

On this day 3rd February 1916

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3 February 1916 2006 Wright

3.2.1916 COULONVILLERS: Brigade Ceremonial Parade at GORENFLOS. 4 Lewis Guns received for Lewis detachment.

Lewis Gun

LONDON GAZETTE (Supplement) d/- 14.1.1916: 2006 Private WRIGHT. A, 1/6th Bn Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Reft (T.F.) AWARDED DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT  MEDAL.

2006 Wright

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

My Company had been detailed to unload the transport wagons from the train and not far off was the steady drumming of artillery fire, the rise and fall of the very lights. We were back. Our journey into the unknown fairyland was over, but the experience had been worth it, but the re-entry into the battle area was a terrible shock.

[2305 Pte Frank Longson]

 

On these days 29th January – 2nd February 1916

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

 During this time the following men returned to England as “Time Expired” :-

  • 980 Joseph Huckles a coal miner from Staveley and an original member of “F” (Staveley and District) Company who enlisted in February 1909. Joseph had previously suffered a gun shot wound to the face on the 9th August 1915 whilst in the trenches at Sanctuary Wood.980 huckles
  • 1336 Ernest Arthur Edinboro a labourer from Brimington and an original member of “F” (Staveley and District) Company who enlisted in February 1911. Ernest had previously been taken sick in May whilst in the trenches at Kemmel.1336 Edinboro