Category Archives: Soldiers

On this day 4th December 1915

4.12.1915 Richebourg & La Coutre: Battalion marched into Billets with HQs at ?? (Bethune map). In addition to the usual transport the Battn had the use of 2 motor lorries for the conveyance of the men’s fur coats and clean clothing etc.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]


2720 Pte. Fred Smith a gardener from Colwall near Malvern returned to England on this day for reasons unknown.

1825 Pte. William Lingard a colliery motor driver from Eckington and a Pre War Territorial in “F” Company returned to England on this day for reasons unknown.

3947 Pte. William Bowler a collier from Chesterfield returned to England on this day for reasons unknown.

On this day 3rd December 1915

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.Blackwall JE portrait

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.1835 Shepperd

On this day 2nd December 1915

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


2160 Pte William Hallows a general labourer from Middleton near Wirksworth and a pre-War Territorial who served with “E” Company was admitted to the 1st North Midland Field Ambulance with cerebral concussion. After treatment at the 7th Casualty Clearing Station and 26th General Hospital in Etaples he was posted to the 46th North Midland Division Base Depot in Rouen. He rejoined the 1/6th Battalion in Marseilles in January 1916.2160 William Hallows2160 Hallows

21st Trench Duty 30th November – 3rd December 1915

30.11.1915: Battalion relieved 7th Sherwood Foresters in RIGHT SECTOR.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]


 The RIGHT SECTOR Trenches

Right Sector RichebourgRight Sector Trenches


1920 Pte Bert Kinsey a labourer from Whittington Moor and a pre-War Territorial who served with “A” Company was admitted to the 1st North Midland Field Ambulance with an ulcer in his left side. After treatment at the 2nd London Casualty Clearing Station and 1st Canadian General Hospital he was posted first to the Convalescent Depot in Etaples and then to the North Midland Depot at Marseilles. He rejoined the 6th Battalion in January 1916.

1920 Kinsey

On this day 29th November 1915

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


2011 Pte William Clowes an engine cleaner from Fairfield and a pre-War Territorial who served in “B” Company suffered from influenza and was treated in the 2nd London Casualty Clearing Station before rejoining the 6th Battalion.2011 Clowes

 

On this day 26th November 1915

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


Nov 26th. Felt very cold at stand down – been freezing hard. Slept in morning (except 1 hr sentry) & repairing trench in afternoon. Desultory shelling & some sniping otherwise fairly quiet. Small bomb attack at night by our bombers. Brown (A Co) reported captured.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]


 The sick and wounded on this day included:-

  • 2053 Bert Birley a labourer from Bakewell and a pre-War Territorial in “D” Company was taken ill.
  • 2963 George Neale a gardener suffered a GSW in the left foot.

On this day 20th November 1915

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

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

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

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

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