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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps



   1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps were based at Aldershot with 6th Brigade, 2nd Division when war broke out in Auguat 1914. The proceeded to France with the BEF on the 13th of August 1914, landing at Rouen and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. On the 13th of December 1915 they transferred to 99th Brigade still with 2nd Division. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

27th Aug 1914 On the March

16th Sep 1914 Enemy Active

17th Sep 1914 Attack

18th Sep 1914 Shelling

20th Sep 1914 Under Shellfire

5th Oct 1914 Shelling

21st Oct 1914 On the March  location map

27th Oct 1914 1st KRRC Advance

2nd Nov 1914 Attack Made

9th Nov 1914 Reliefs

12th Nov 1914 Enemy Advance

2nd Jan 1915 Relief Complete  location map

3rd Feb 1915 Reliefs  location map

7th Feb 1915 Reliefs

19th Feb 1915 Reliefs

25th Feb 1915 Boundary Change

1st March 1915 A Royal Visitor  H.R.H. The Prince of Wales walked round the trenches occupied by the 1st Battalion KRRC, with General Horne.

Battalion War Diaries 1914-195 WO 95/1358/3



10th Mar 1915 Diversionary attack  location map

10th Mar 1915 1st KRRC on the Attack  1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps are involved in failed assault by the Brigade on German trenches near Givency-lés-la-Bassée after artillery bombardment. "..if gallantry and determination could have commanded success it would have been theirs.." Casualties suffered were: NCOs and other ranks Missing believed killed (119); Killed (32); Wounded (94). In addition Captain E.P. Shakerley (killed); Captain C.A. Grazebrook (wounded and missing); 2nd Lieutenant F.P. Crawhall (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant H. Else (wounded); Lieutenant P.J. Bevan (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant A.R. Heron (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant R. Fellowes (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant K. Ward (wounded and missing. Subsequently unofficially reported prisoner of war)

Battalion War Diaries 1914-195 WO 95/1358/3



10th Mar 1915 Attack Made

11th March 1915 Reliefs

13th March 1915 Valiant Rescue

14th March 1915 Brigadier Congratulates 1st Herts

8th Apr 1915 Instruction  location map

19th Apr 1915 Relief  location map

12th May 1915 Training

15th May 1915 First Night attack  location map

15th May 1915 Assault Made

2nd Jun 1915 Reliefs

6th June 1915 Operational Order No.10.  location map

16th Jul 1915 Shelling

20th Jul 1915 Reliefs Complete

25th Jul 1915 Reliefs

8th Sep 1915 Reliefs

12th Sep 1915 Reliefs  location map

16th Sep 1915 Reliefs

19th Sep 1915 Reliefs

24th Sep 1915 Reliefs  location map

25th Sep 1915 Attack Made  location map

26th Sep 1915 Reorganisation

26th Sep 1915 Reliefs  location map

27th Sep 1915 Attack

29th Sep 1915 Reliefs Complete  location map

1st Oct 1915 In the Line

1st Oct 1915 In Support  location map

3rd Oct 1915 Reliefs

3rd Oct 1915 Attack  location map

6th Oct 1915 1st KRRC at Rest

16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme

21st Oct 1915 Reliefs Complete  location map

24th Oct 1915 Orders  location map

14th Nov 1915 Reliefs Complete  location map

15th Nov 1915 Shelling  location map

26th Nov 1915 Reliefs Complete  location map

1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets

4th Dec 1915 Reliefs

10th Dec 1915 Reliefs  location map

11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment

16th Dec 1915 Reorganisation

24th Dec 1915 Trench Work

10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens

12th Jan 1916 Route March

9th February 1916 Call Ups

21st Mar 1916 No Smokes

28th Mar 1916 On the Move

12th Apr 1916 Bad Weather

17th Apr 1916 On the Move

6th May 1916 Working Parties

20th May 1916 Training  location map

22nd May 1916 Orders  location map

23rd May 1916 Orders

27th Jul 1916 1st KRRC and 23rd Royal Fusiliers advance  At 7.10am after a one hour barrage on Delville Wood the 1st KRRC and 23rd Royal Fusiliers of 99 Brigade and 2nd Division began their advance from the south. By 9am they had occupied a line 50 yards from the northern edge of the wood

27th Jul 1916 Attack Made

28th Jul 1916 Attack Made  location map

4th Aug 1916 Reliefs Complete

24th Sep 1916 Church Parade

10th Oct 1916 Training

11th Oct 1916 Training

12th Oct 1916 Training

13th Oct 1916 Training

17th Feb 1917 Attack Made

5th Mar 1917 Reliefs

10th Mar 1917 Attack Made

28th Apr 1917 Attack Made  location map

21st of May 1917 Quiet Night  location map

24th of May 1917  Relief Completed  location map

4th Jun 1917 Reliefs

11th Jun 1917 Reliefs  location map

20th Jun 1917 Move

21st Jun 1917 Reliefs

27th Jun 1917 Reliefs

3rd Jul 1917 Relief Complete  location map

9th Jul 1917 Reliefs

15th Jul 1917 Reliefs  location map

27th Jul 1917 Reliefs  location map

2nd Aug 1917 Reliefs  location map

8th Aug 1917 Reliefs  location map

14th Aug 1917 Reliefs

20th Aug 1917 Reliefs

1st Sep 1917 Sports  location map

13th Sep 1917 Gas  location map

26th Sep 1917 Gas

2nd Oct 1917 Gas Shells  location map

5th of October 1917  On the March

6th Oct 1917 On the March

13th Oct 1917 Competition

14th Oct 1917 Competition

15th Oct 1917 Inspection

25th Oct 1917 Exercise

31st Oct 1917 Training

5th Nov 1917 On the March

6th Nov 1917 On the March

7th Nov 1917 On the March

26th Nov 1917 Reliefs  location map

27th Nov 1917 Attack Made  location map

27th Nov 1917 Intermittent Shelling  location map

29th Nov 1917 Attack Made  location map

13th Dec 1917 Reliefs  location map

17th Dec 1917 Reliefs  location map

24th Dec 1917 Working Parties  location map

30th Dec 1917 Reliefs

4th Jan 1918 In Reserve

5th Jan 1918 In Reserve

6th Jan 1918 In Reserve

7th Jan 1918 Training

9th Jan 1918 Snow

10th Jan 1918 Snow

11th Jan 1918 Poor Weather

12th Jan 1918 Training

13th Jan 1918 Snow and Frost

14th Jan 1918 Training

15th Jan 1918 Training

16th Jan 1918 Bad Weather

17th Jan 1918 Poor Weather

19th Jan 1918 Orders

20th Jan 1918 Orders

21st Jan 1918 Heavy Rain

23rd Jan 1918 Reliefs

24th Jan 1918 In the Line

25th Jan 1918 Artillery Active  location map

26th Jan 1918 Orders  location map

26th Jan 1918 Reliefs

27th Jan 1918 Fog

28th Jan 1918 Artillery Active  location map

29th Jan 1918 Artillery Active

29th Jan 1918 Reliefs

30th Jan 1918 Artillery Active

31st Jan 1918 Thick Mist

1st Feb 1918 Trenches Improved

1st Feb 1918 Thick Mist

2nd Feb 1918 Trenches Improved

3rd Feb 1918 Orders

15th Feb 1918 Reliefs

17th Feb 1918 Enemy Aircraft  location map

21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation  location map

22nd Feb 1918 Patrols

22nd Feb 1918 Reliefs

23rd Feb 1918 Shelling  location map

24th Feb 1918 Shelling  location map

25th Feb 1918 Shelling  location map

26th Feb 1918 Artillery Active  location map

27th Feb 1918 Artillery Active

28th Feb 1918 Shelling  location map

1st Mar 1918 Raids  location map

2nd Mar 1918 Snow

3rd Mar 1918 Patrols  location map

4th Mar 1918 Quiet  location map

5th Mar 1918 Patrols  location map

6th Mar 1918 Gas  location map

7th Mar 1918 Enemy Active  location map

8th Mar 1918 Enemy Active  location map

9th Mar 1918 Mist

10th Mar 1918 Enemy Active

11th Mar 1918 Gas

12th Mar 1918 Gas

12th Mar 1918 Reliefs

13th Mar 1918 Raids

14th Mar 1918 Artillery Active

15th Mar 1918 Intense Fire

16th Mar 1918 Trench Raid  location map

17th Mar 1918 Patrols  location map

18th Mar 1918 Raids  location map

19th Mar 1918 Patrols

20th Mar 1918 Reliefs

21st Mar 1918 Arrangements  location map

21st Mar 1918 In Action  location map

22nd Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal  location map

23rd Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal  location map

24th Mar 1918 In Defence  location map

25th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal  location map

25th Mar 1918 Fierce Attack

26th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal  location map

27th Mar 1918 In Defence  location map

27th Mar 1918 Moves  location map

29th Mar 1918 Enemy Quieter  location map

30th Mar 1918 Reorganisation

31st Mar 1918 Shelling

31st Mar 1918 Intermittent Shelling

1st Apr 1918 Reliefs

18th Apr 1918 Reliefs

26th Apr 1918 Reliefs

5th May 1918 Reliefs

9th May 1918 Trench Raid

30th May 1918 Sports

16th Jun 1918 Reliefs

25th Jun 1918 Reliefs

26th Jun 1918 Quiet

5th Jul 1918 Reliefs

20th Jul 1918 Reliefs

4th Aug 1918 Reliefs

12th Aug 1918 Reliefs  location map

14th Aug 1918 Raid

18th Aug 1918 Orders

19th Aug 1918 Training

24th Aug 1918 In Action  location map

2nd Sep 1918 Orders  location map

3rd Sep 1918 In Action  location map

3rd Sep 1918 Attack Made  location map

4th Sep 1918 Advance  location map

29th Sep 1918 Attack Made  location map

8th Oct 1918 Attack Made  location map

If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.





Want to know more about 1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps?


There are:5453 items tagged 1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.


Those known to have served with

1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Allcock Henry. Cpl. (d.10th Mar, 1915)
  • Baxter Robert Samuel. L/Cpl. (d.27th Oct 1914)
  • Bellamy W.. Rflmn. (d.16th Jul 1915)
  • Brown William. Rfmn. (d.27th July 1916)
  • Bryan William. L/Cpl.
  • Caulfield Thomas. Rfmn. (d.14th Nov 1916)
  • Clarke William. Rfmn. (d.15 May 1915)
  • Clinton Walter L.. Capt.
  • Clinton Walter. Capt. (d.22nd November 1918)
  • Edwards Harold Brinley. Rflmn. (d.7th Sept 1915)
  • Ellett William. Rflmn. (d.9th Oct 1916)
  • Fear Arnold Hubert. Pte. (d.29th September 1918)
  • Franklin Arthur Charles. Rfm. (d.3rd May 1917)
  • Gill Albert. Sgt. (d.27th Jul 1916)
  • Hammer Edward Walter. Rflmn. (d.14th September 1914)
  • Harding F.. Pte. (d.29th June 1916)
  • Harris Richard. Rfmn. (d.4th Oct 1914)
  • Hatcher George. Rfm. (d.10th Mar 1915)
  • Horne A. E.. Pte.
  • Hornsby John Arthur. L/Cpl.
  • Hornsby John William. L/Cpl.
  • Johnston James William. L/Cpl. (d.3rd Oct 1915)
  • Jones Frederick George. Rifleman (d.17th Sep 1916)
  • Jones Frederick. Pte.
  • Lambert George Henry. Rifleman (d.17th Feb 1917)
  • Law Frank Edger. Sgt.
  • Law George. Pte. (d.31st Oct 1915)
  • Phillips William. Rflmn. (d.17th Feb 1917)
  • Philpot C. W.. Pte.
  • Prudence George Edwin. L/Cpl. (d.7th August 1916)
  • Shearing Thomas William. Pte. (d.10th March 1915)
  • Shewring Arthur. Rfmn. (d.10th Mar 1915)
  • Still William Henry. Rflmn. (d.3rd May 1917)
  • Styles William Charles. Rflmn (d.8th October 1918)
  • Sutton John Thomas. L/Cpl.
  • Swallow Herbert William. Rflmn. (d.27th July 1916)
  • Ungerer MM. Cristian Arthur. Rfmn. (d.27th August 1918)
  • Watson William Albert. Rflmn. (d.27th July 1916)
  • Wilson Thomas. Pte. (d.27th July 1916)

All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of 1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps from other sources.


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  L/Cpl. William Bryan 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

William Bryan

My great-great-uncle William Bryan. William fought in the Boer War and India prior to WW1. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has his date of death as 27th of October 1914. I visited Ypres and the Menin Gate last year to pay my respects to Bill, who was in the 1st Battalion KRRC. Incredibly, I have just found out that he is listed as a prisoner in Red Cross records dated 2nd of November 1914 and later in Güstrow POW Camp records dated 2nd of December 1914. After all these years, nobody alive today realized that 27th of October 1914 was not in fact his actual date of death.

So from today begins more research in the hope that we can now find out what really did happen to our Bill.







  Rfmn. Richard Harris 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.4th Oct 1914)

Richard Harris was 39 when he was badly wounded in the lungs during the Battle of Aisnes in September 1914. He was brought home and died of these wounds in Whitworth Street Military Hospital in Manchester. He was buried in Southern Cemetery, Manchester and is remembered on the Screen Wall.

Richard was the first British Soldier to die in Manchester as a result of WW1 and there was great local outcry because, unlike German soldiers who had received full military honours when buried there, he was not given the same courtesy. A Manchester newspaper reported that "the lack of the usual military features attending a soldier's funeral was freely commented on".

Born in 1875, Richard was a veteran of the Boer War having been awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal for his action in Cape Colony, Orange Free State, the Relief of Ladysmith and Transvaal, he also received the King's South Africa Medal for his service in 1901 and 1902. His WW1 medals (the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal) were presented to his wife and children, along with his Memorial Plaque, these are still with Richard's family to this day.

Anthony Lay






  L/Cpl. George Edwin Prudence 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.7th August 1916)

George Prudence took part in the Battle for Delville Wood. He was wounded gunshot to the face and died back in the UK.

Anthony Prudence






  Sgt. Frank Edger Law 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

He was with his Battalion 8th K.R.R.C after transferring from the 1st Battalion K.R.R.C as an N.C.O through out WW1 right up until he was captured during the German attack on 21st March 1918. He was taken to Mannhiem and put in a prison of war camp there. During his time there he caught pneumonia, and managed to trick the Germans into believing it was tuberculosis which back then was contagious and a killer. The Germans did not want to have some one with this illness among them so they repatriated him back home via Switzerland. He was them looked after by his wife until he recovered and then was able to re join the K.R.R.C at Winchester later being demobbed in 1919.

Geoffrey Law






  Rfmn. Cristian Arthur Ungerer MM. 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th August 1918)

Christian Ungerer was born in Southwark London in March 1898. The eldest child of Charles Christian Ungerer, a German immigrant, and Frances Mary Ungerer (nee Smith). The family moved to Silver Street, Edmonton in Middlesex in or around 1903 where they owned and ran their own bakery. Christian had 3 younger brothers and 2 younger sisters. One of his sisters died at the age of 5 when Christian was 6 years old. None of his brothers fought in the Great War as they would have been too young.

As a baker Christian found himself serving with the Army Service Corps. I am not sure how long he served with them. He then joined the 1st Battalion, King's Royal Riffle Corps. When or why I do not know. It could have been down to a lack of front line soldiers. I know he changed his Service Number and that he was used as a runner for the Battalion. Christian also spoke German so he would have been useful to the Battalion as an interpreter.

Christian died of his wounds on the 27th of August 1918 aged 20 and was laid to rest at Etaples Military Cemetery. Christian was awarded the Military Medal for bravery.

Errol Barker






  Rflmn William Charles Styles 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th October 1918)

My grandfather was killed near Cambrai on 8th.Oct 1918 and was buried in the village cemetery alongside about 79 others of Rumilly-en-Cambresis. He left a wife Edith and 3 children:Edith 9, Edward 7 and Lily 5. He was 39 years of age.

Audrey Gooding






  Capt. Walter Clinton 1st Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.22nd November 1918)

Captain Clinton is buried in the Belgrade New Cemetery in Serbia

S Flynn






  Pte. Frederick Jones 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

On the 6th of May 1916, while serving with 1st KRRC, Frederick Jones was "Buried by shell explosion" and "knocked unconscious for about 3 hours". The 1st KRRC War Diary notes of a bombardment probably responsible for his injuries, it says A Company had 5 killed and 2 wounded.

After X-Rays to his lower back in France, he was transferred to Epsom for further examination. After further treatment at Epsom and The Infirmary, Birmingham, Medical Board decided he was "Permanently unfit for any kind of Service." On the 15th of Dec 1916 he was discharged, wounded and awarded Silver War Badge No 99941. He died on 24th of May 1923. Frederick was my wife's maternal grandfather.

Bob Marshall






  Rflmn. William Albert Watson 1st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th July 1916)

Rifleman William Watson, who was my grandfather, was a fatal casualty on 27th July 1916, during the Battle for Delville Wood. Interestingly though, as far as I can tell from scrutiny of the Delville Wood, Longueval British Roll of Honour, July-September 1916, he was the only 1st Battalion KRRC soldier of their 144 fatal casualties, to be buried in the Bernafay Wood Cemetery. (I've often wondered why.)

Chris Watson






  Rflmn. William Phillips 1st Btn. A Company King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Feb 1917)

William Phillips was my Great Uncle. He was 26 when he died. A red cross representative recorded the following details of his fate.

"He came from Chelsea & was a mucking in chum of mine. He was lying near me when he was killed. We were in shell holes. They counter attacked and we fell back into some short pieces of trenches. Two bodies were dragged back as we fell back. Then I saw S/Bs taking the papers off them and I asked who they were, it was Phillips and I think Myers, or a name like that. I knew him very well but they were so covered with mud that I could not recognize him but I saw his pay book and had no doubt about him. I helped to pull him through, out of the mud. And I saw him buried in a shell hole at Miraumont It was practically in the line and I do not suppose that I could find the place again myself. The other man was buried with him. He used always to be talking to me about his Mother and Sisters. He was a very nice quiet fellow who would share everything with you. I have shared many of his parcels a very decent fellow. There were not many of us Londoners in the Company so we naturally drifted together. He lived at Norman Road, Kings, Road, Chelsea." Informant Rfn. James 25306 On Ambulance Train. Calais 9 xxx (page torn)

Robert Regan






  Rflmn. William Ellett 1st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.9th Oct 1916)

William Ellett died in the Battle of the Somme in the German trenches during hand to hand combat with a number of Germans. He died of a knife to the head but put up a valiant fight.







  Capt. Walter L. Clinton 1st Btn. attchd. 2nd Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

Captain Clinton was a prisoner at Graudenz POW camp. He escaped on 4th October 1918 and walked 190 miles to freedom. Sadly, he died in Belgrade on 22nd November 1918 and is buried in Belgrade New Cemetery, Grave 179.







  Rflmn. Harold Brinley Edwards 1st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.7th Sept 1915)

Rifleman Edwards died on 7th September 1915 and is buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery.

Mike Metcalfe






  Pte. Thomas William Shearing 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th March 1915)

Thomas Shearing Y/1166, 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, reported killed in action at Givenchy, France.

I have a photograph of the original burial by the German Army under the name Schaering in Courrières Cemetery, France. Most of the burials in this photograph are associated with Feldlazarett 4 des IV Armee-Korps [Field Hospital 4 of the 4th Army Corps]. His body was exhumed and reburied circa 1922/1923 in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France. His date of death was stated to be 10th March 1915 in British Army records and in the Imperial War Graves Commission document used to prepare his current headstone; other records and the original German headstone state the 15th as the day of death. The 10th March corresponds with a failed offensive on Givenchy-lés-la-Bassée by 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, after which many soldiers were missing presumed killed. However, it appears likely that Rifleman Shearing was wounded and taken by the Germans for treatment to Feldlazarett 4 des IV Armee-Korps where he died on the 15th.

Forscher






  L/Cpl. John William Hornsby 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

Rifleman J W Hornsby (my grandfather) joined the KRRC as a young boy soldier. He served through out the war with 1st Btn, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, being gassed, losing toes through frost bite, bayonetted under the arm pit and finally returned home unfit for service on 22nd June 1918 shell shocked.

Martin Knight






  Pte. Thomas Wilson 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th July 1916)

Thomas Wilson was my great uncle, my grandmother's brother. Thomas was deployed on 13th August 1914, and fought in every major battle of the war. Thomas was killed in action on the 27th day of July 1916. It was also his 27th birthday, and the 27th day of the Battle of the Somme. He was killed at Delville Wood. His good friend and seargant, Albert Gill, won a VC and Thomas was with him that fatefull day.

No grave for Thomas exists. His name is on the Thiepval War Memorial. Never forgotten Thomas, and loved and respected by all who have been told about you.

Shaun Dixon






  L/Cpl. John Arthur Hornsby A coy, 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

John Hornsby joined the army in 1910 at Bulford Camp. He served until 22nd June 1918 and was returned home unfit for further service with shell shock, the nurse who looked after him later became my grandmother. He was gassed in 1915 probably at Loos, and later was bayonetted under the armpit. He was good at cricket and was good with the mills bombs often going into action with no rifle apparently.

He tried to re-join the army in 1939 but was pulled out of the queue by his mother and wife and dragged back home.

Martin Knight






  Rfmn. Thomas Caulfield 1st Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.14th Nov 1916)

Thomas Caulfield served with 1st Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps in 99th Brigade, 2nd (Regular) Division. Born in Widnes, Lancashire, he enlisted in Warrington and resided at 46 Moss Street, Moss Bank, Widnes. A single man, he was the only son of Michael Caulfield. His mother had died sometime before he enlisted. He received his elementary education at St Marie's school in Widnes and was a parishioner at St Marie's church. For a number of years he was a member of the "Kent Pride Lodge" of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. From leaving school until enlistment, he worked at the Muspratt Works in Widnes.

By September 1915, he was an officers' servant in France and was later posted to a Heavy Trench Mortar Battery. Posted "missing, presumed killed" after an attack by his battalion on the German line at "Munich Trench" in the closing stages of The Battle of the Somme, Thomas Caulfield was one of 142 men, from the 1st Battalion, killed or wounded that day, he was aged 38. Thomas is buried at Frankfurt Trench British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel.

John Pitt






  Rfmn. Arthur Shewring 1st Btn. A Company. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th Mar 1915)

Arthur Shewring was born in 1995. He served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps, 1st Battalion, A company and died on 10th March 1915 aged 19. We have no further details. The family story is that he had an argument with his mother and ran out of the house, over the back wall and was never seen again. He was supposedly underage when he signed up.

Charlotte Priestley






  Sgt. Albert Gill 1st Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th Jul 1916)

Sgt. Albert Gill served with the 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps and was killed in action on 27th July1916 aged 36 years. He is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery in France. He was the son of Harry and Sophia Gill, of Birmingham, England; and husband of Rosetta Gill (nee Smith).

An extract from "The London Gazette" dated 24th October, 1916, records the following :-"For most conspicuous bravery. The enemy made a very strong counter-attack on the right flank of the battalion, and rushed the bombing post after killing all the company bombers. Serjeant Gill at once rallied the remnants of his platoon, none of whom were skilled bombers, and reorganised his defences, a most difficult and dangerous task, the trench being very shallow and much damaged. Soon afterwards the enemy nearly surrounded his men by creeping up through the thick undergrowth, and commenced sniping at about twenty yards' range. Although it was almost certain death, Serjeant Gill stood boldly up in order to direct the fire of his men. He was killed almost at once, but not before he had shown his men where the enemy were, and thus enabled them to hold up their advance. By his supreme devotion to duty and self-sacrifice he saved a very dangerous situation."

s flynn






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