Category Archives: Soldiers

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 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

1915 In Review

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April to December 1915

  • The 6th Battalion left Southampton with the North Midland Division on the 25th February 1915.
  • The Battalion held the front line trenches 21 times between March and December 1915; including 1 major battle (the attack on Hohenzollern Redoubt).severne dickinson
  • Two Officer were killed during these 9 months; 2/Lt Henry Severne in May and 2/Lt Lewis Dickinson in September.
  • At least 10 Officers were also wounded during this time.
  • According to the War Diary 81 men were killed in the 9 months between March and December.
  • This does not include the 12 missing after the mine explosion on the 30th September; which was the biggest single loss of life to date.Redfern
  • The 1st man to be killed was 1470 Allen Redfern of Buxton who was shot by a sniper on the 10th March 1915 and is buried in Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery.Bombing
  • The last man to be killed was 3065 Joseph Brown, a miner from Grassmoor, who was last seen bombing in the German trench as the raiding party retired and was reported as missing on the 26th November. His body was never recovered or identified after the war and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.
  • The War Diary records that 323 men were wounded during these 9 months; research suggests that this number is in fact much higher. Indeed the 139th Brigade War Diary records the following Casualties:-

1915 Casualties

On these days 13th-18th December 1915

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

2077 Miles2077 Pte George Miles, a paker stainer from Disley and a Pre-War Territorial of “H” Company, was admitted to the 1st North Midland Field Ambulance with influenza. 2077 Miles 2

George was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry (London Gazette 26.4.1917). He died of wounds at the 22nd Casualty Clearing Station on the 15th August 1918.

On this day 5th December 1915

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

1912 Pte. Harold Doherty a shoemaker from Stoney Middleton and a Pre-War Territorial who served with “D” Company suffered from ‘inflammation of connective tissue’ (ICT) in the right arm and was treated in the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station. He returned to duty on the 3rd January 1916.1912 Doherty

3035 Pte. John Warren a miner from Danesmoor suffered from defective vision and was treated in the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station and 4th Stationary Hospital at St Omar. He was posted to the 46th North Midland Base Depot at Rouen before rejoining the 1/6th Battalion in Marseille on the 9th January 1916.3035 Warren

3024 Pte. Joseph Askew a labourer from Eckington suffered from a defective eye and was treated in the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station and 24th General Hospital at Etaples before being transfered to England.3024 Askew

661 Sergt.-Drummer John Samuel Bunting a corset maker from Ashbourne enlisted in 1908 aged 14 and served with “C” Company. John suffered from cellulitis of the left foot and after treatment in the 1st North Midland Field Ambulance he returned to duty.661 bunting

On this day 4th December 1915

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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

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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

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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

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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