Category Archives: Soldiers

On this day 20th November 1915

Leave a reply

20.11.1915 La Coutre: Battalion relieved by 7th Sherwood Foresters in LEFT SUBSECTOR and moved to billets at LA COUTRE.

Casualties Wounded OR 2

[WO/95/2694]

Nov 18th. Stood to about 6-30 a.m. Repairing trench 9-30 till 12-30. After dinner sent to salvage party, (5 per Coy), at batt hdqrs. Loaded salvage onto wagons about 6 p.m. then finished.

Nov 19th. Got up at stand to & went salvaging 9 till 12 & 2-30 till 3-30. Dull day, but frosty at night. Loaded wagons up again about 6, then finished. Slept badly again – cold feet.

Nov 20th. Same as yesterday till dinnertime. Some coal boxes rather close in afternoon. Packed up later & relieved by 5th S.F. about 6 p.m. Billeted in a barn at Richebourg – fairly comfortable.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

The 2 wounded men were:-

3082 Pte John Whaley who served with “D” Company.

1756 Pte Leonard Blanksby, a 20 year old pipe moulder from Spital in Chesterfied, who suffered from pyrexia and was transferred to England for treatment.

1756 Blanksby

On this day 13th November 1915

Leave a reply

13.11.1915 La Coutre: Battalion relieved by 5th LEICESTERS and moved into billets as follows:- A, B & D Companies & details in LA COUTRE; C Company in the line.

Casualties:- O.R. Killed 1 (Reginald Drayott) Wounded 1 (William Hayes).

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

 2160 Pte. William Hallows

William Hallows, a general labourer from Middleton, suffered a septic right ankle and was admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance. He rejoined the 1/6th Battalion 4 days later. Engine HousePrior to enlisting in March 1914 WIlliam worked for Swan and Racliffes and lived at the Engine House in Middleton by Wirksworth. William arrived in France with the II Reinforcement in June 1915.

2160 William Hallows2160 Hallows

1342 Pte. John Andrews

John Andrews, a labourer previously in the employment of Cox Wilson & Sons in Ashford, suffered from tonsillitis. 1343 andrews 2Brooke-Taylor HCJohn enlisted on the 23rd of February 1911 aged 21 and served with “D” Bakewell Company. His Attestation form was signed by Herbert Clifford Brooke-Taylor.1342 andrews 3

John attended all the Annual Camps of the 6th Battalion including Scarborough (1911), Abermaide (1912) and Clumber Park (1913).1342 Andrews

John arrived in France on the 26th February with the 1/6th Battalion of the 46th Division. He suffered tonsillitis on the 13th November 1915 and was admitted to the 7th Casualty Clearing Station, before being transferred to the 1st General Hospital. He was discharged on the 28th November and posted to the North Midland Division (NMD) Depot in Rouen. On the 5th December he was classified as “PB” (Permanent Base) by a medical board and transferred to England on the 9th December [PB is Permanent Base ie not fit for active duty].1432 Andrews discharge

John was discharged on the 3rd March 1916 due to ‘The termination of his period of engagement’ under Kings Regulations Para 392 (XXI).

On this day 12th November 1915

Leave a reply

3011 Pte. William Hayes

Was wounded in action whilst serving with “A” Company. Unfortunately no further details are available about William and his War service.3011 Hayes MIC 3011 HayesWilliam enlisted into the 2/6th Battalion in October 1914. He arrived in France with the 1st Reserve Reinforcement in June 1915 and was disembodied in January 1919.

1296 Pte. Graham Cherry

Was transfered to England pending discharge as ‘time expired’.1296 Cheery1296 Cherry 2

Graham Cherry, a printer by trade, enlisted into the 6th Battalion in October 1910 aged 16 and served with “G” (Clay Cross) Company.

His father was 111 Sergeant William Henry Cherry (below).111 Cherry

On this day 11th November 1915

Leave a reply

1896 Pte. Reginald Draycott was killed in action and is buried in RUE-DES-BERCEAUX MILITARY CEMETERY at RICHEBOURG-L’AVOUE.

1896 Draycott attestationReginald enlisted in April 1913 aged 17 and served with “A” Company. He was blacksmith by trade and worked for the Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Company. Reginald lived with his parents at 64 Whittington Street in Old Whittington.

1896 Imperial 1913He signed the Imperial Service Agreement in Chesterfield on 28th April 1913, which was witnessed by Colonel John Morton Clayton.1896 Draycott

Reginald arrived in France with the 46th North Midland Division in February 1915 and was killed in action on the 11th November 1915; just 9 months later.1896 Draycott itemsHis few personal effects were returned to his family in January 1915 and they later received his medals in 1920-21.1896 Draycott medals1896 draycott medals 2

flanders_field

On these days 1st-4th November 1915

Leave a reply

Novemrber 1915

1.11.1915 Bethune: 2/Lt. W. D. Jamieson reported for duty.

2.11.1915 Bethune: Draft of 35 Other Ranks arrived.

4.11.1915 Bethune: Battalion moved in billets at PACAUT.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

[PACAUT may refer to Pacaut wood which was close to Bethune]

Nov 1st. Running 7-30 to 8. Instn in signalling 10-30 till 12 & 2 till 3. Others had bayonet fighting, rapid loading etc. Dull again. Standing by from 6 p.m. onwards.

Nov 2nd. Same as yesterday. Rain nearly all day, so no running parade & lectures in billets, rifle inspn etc. Still standing by.

Nov 3rd. Same as Monday all day. Misty at first, but nice later. Finished standing by at 8 a.m. Went to picture palace at night – very good. 50 reinfts.

Nov 4th. Rose at 6 a.m. Set off from Bethune at 8 and got to Calonne about 11-30 a.m. Football etc. in afternoon. Misty at first but nice later. In barns.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

 William Duncan JamiesonJamieson

 Draft of Reinforcements

No record of this reinforcement has been found to date.

2951 Pte John Edmund Nadin2951 Nadin photo

On this day John Edmund Nadin was transferred to hospital in England suffering from piles. John was a labourer from Dove Holes and enlisted on the 17th October 1914. He arrived in France with the II Reinforcement on 29th June 1915. He later returned to France with the 9th Reinforcement in May 1916 and was mortally wounded on the 1st July 1916 with a gun shot wound in the head. He was transferred to England, but died of his wounds on the 4th July at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Netley.2951 Nadin

3431 Pte Percy Cooke

On this day Percy was admitted to the 1st North Midland Field Ambulance suffering from scabies. Percy was a loader from Staveley and enlisted on the 28th October 1914. He arrived in France with the 46th Division in February 1915. He was later wounded on the 1st July 1916 with a gun shot wound in the shoulder. He was transferred to England and returned to France with the 29th Reinforcement in January 1917. He was made a prisoner of War in July 1917 whilst serving with the 1/5th Battalion.

3431 Cooke

On this day 27th October 1915

Leave a reply

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

Oct 27th. Inspn by Colonel 10-30 a.m. Set off at 1 p.m. to Hesdigneul for rehearsal of review. Rain at intervals, & dirty under foot. Passed aerodrome.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

1294 Pte George Howe & 1409 Pte George Smart

Returned to England on this day

1294 HoweGeorge Howe was an apprentice pattern maker from Clay Cross when he enlisted into the 6th Battalion in November 1910 and originally served with “G” Clay Cross Company. He arrived in France with the II Reinforcement in June 1915. He returned to England on the SS Mona Queen for discharge as ‘time expired’

1920px-Painting_of_Mona's_Queen

1409 SmartGeorge Smart was an 18 year old miner from Clay Cross when he enlisted into the 6th Battalion in May 1911 and served with “G” Clay Cross Company. He arrived in France with the 46th Division in February 1915 and transferred to England with otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear). George later returned to France with the 6th Reinforcement in March 1916.

 

On this day 26th October 1915

Leave a reply

26.10.1915 LAPUGNOY: CAPT A. J. HOPKINS took Command of Battalion.

Battalion moved to new billets in BETHUNE.

Oct 26th. Rose about 8 a.m. Packed up in morning & set off at 1-30 to Bethune. Got there about 4 p.m. & were billeted in estaminets – fairly comfortable. Nice day

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

 1522 Drummer Benjamin Stubbins1522 Stubbins

Benjamin Stubbins suffered from varicocele and was admitted to the 3rd Stationary Hospital in Rouen and then two months later to the 6th General Hospital. Hi was finally discharged to the 6th Depot on the 14th January 1915 and struck of the roll of Drummer. He rejoined the 1/6th Battalion ‘in the field’ on the 16th March 1916.

Benjamin had been wound previously on the 6th August 1915 and was to be wounded again on the 7th/8th October 1918, at which time he was transferred to England.

1522 Stubbins letter

Benjamin was a labourer at the Hardwick Colliery Company and lived with his parents on Lockerford Lane in Stonegravels. He enlisted as a Drummer on the 3rd January 1912 aged 15 years and 9 months. As such he required a letter of authorisation from his parents.

On this day 22nd October 1915

Leave a reply

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

Oct 22nd. Rose at 8 a.m. Told to report to signalling sergeant at 9– 30, then instructed in morse code etc, till 12 o’clock. Others had running, bayonet fighting, & bombing same as on 20th. At night went with McT & had a feed. Nice day, but cold wind.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

–Court of Inquiry–

1/5th Battalion bombing accident

Held over the accidental deaths of 1620 Pte Samuel Joseph James (Long Eaton) and 2128 Pte William Moult (Albert Village) and the accidental wounding of 2195 Pte Harry Leslie Seckington, 2386 L/Cpl John H Wall (discharged 1916), 1706 Pte Arthur Richardson (discharged 1916) and 2447 Pte James Caulton (transferred to 21st Battalion) at LAPUGNOY on the 21st and 22nd October 1915.Grenade accident

The first Accident on the 21st OctoberJames accident

Three witnesses stated that Pte James was in the process of throwing a No. 1 bomb when it exploded in his hand as he turned the cap around to “fire”.

The second accident on the 22nd October

Moult accident 2

2470 Sergeant T P Leese stated that the Bethune bomb used by William Moult was faulty and suggested a number of reasons for this.Bathune bomb

Typical example of a Bethune Bomb fitted with a Nobel lighter, No. 10 fuse and detonator.

[For more images of Bethune bombs]

On this day 18th October 1915

Leave a reply

18.10.1915 VERQUIN: Bn addressed by Maj.-Gen. STUART WORTLEY.

Captain EM Johnson returned.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

Oct 18th. Rose at 7 a.m. fell in for inspn at 8-30, but dismissed till 10-30, then inspected by Gen. Stuart – Wortley, who made a congratulatory speech afterwards & promised us 10 days rest. In afternoon went to concert by pierrots – very good. At night went with McT. & had a feed. Nice day except for cold wind.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

 1507 Pte. Joseph William Marsden

1507 Pte. Joseph William Marsden, a grocers assistant  from Bakewell was transferred to England on this day following his wounding following a shell burst.1507 Marsden

Joseph had originally enlisted in November 1911 aged 17 and lived on Monyash Road. He was attested by Lieut. Herbert Cliffird Brooke-Taylor and served with “D” Company. He was posted to the 6th Reserve and then to the Command Depot at Ballyvonare before joining the 5th Reserve Battalion in December 1916. Joseph was eventually discharged on the 24th August 1917 in consequence of “being no longer physically fit for war service”.

In fact Joseph was suffering from neurasthenia, which we now know as ‘shell shock’, and he received a pension of £30.1507 marsden pension