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7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps
7th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on 19th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Grayshott in November and to Bordon in February 1915, returning to Aldershot in March 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 25th of April, the 7th KRRC was reduced to a training cadre and on the 16th of June they transferred to 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and returned to England for re-establishment and were absorbed by 34th Battalion, London Regiment at Clacton.
19th Aug 1914 Battalion Raised
18th Feb 1915 Training
18th May 1915 On the Move
19th May 1915 On the Move
20th May 1915 On the Move
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29th May 1915 Instruction
29th of May 1915 A Rumbling Explosion
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31st of May 1915 "Careful Watch" Kept
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5th June 1915 Into Camp
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10th June 1915 Into the Trenches
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3rd July 1915 In the Trenches
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10th July 1915 Working Parties
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29th July 1915 Reliefs
30th Jul 1915 Germans use flamethrower In an attack at 03:15 in the front line at the Hooge Crater, the Germans employed a flame thrower against troops of the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade and 7th Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
30th Jul 1915 Burning Oil
30th July 1915 Reliefs Complete
31st July 1915 On the March
1st August 1915 In Bivouac
2nd August 1915 At Rest
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7th August 1915 Reliefs
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10th August 1915 On the March
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12th August 1915 At Rest
13th August 1915 Reliefs
14th August 1915 Quiet
15th August 1915 Holding the Line
16th August 1915 Quiet
17th August 1915 Holding the Line
18th August 1915 Holding the Line
19th August 1915 Holding the Line
20th August 1915 Holding the Line
21st August 1915 Holding the Line
22nd August 1915 Holding the Line
23rd August 1915 Holding the Line
24th August 1915 Reorganisation
25th August 1915 Quiet
26th August 1915 Quiet
27th August 1915 Reinforcements
28th August 1915 Quiet
29th August 1915 Holding the Line
30th August 1915 Reliefs
31st August 1915 At Rest
1st Sep 1915 In Hells Mouth
1st September 1915 At Rest
2nd September 1915 Roads Blocked
3rd September 1915 Heavy Rain
4th September 1915 Inspection
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13th September 1915 Reliefs Completed
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23rd September 1915 Order
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25th September 1915 Attack Made
25th Sep 1915 In Action
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30th September 1915 Heavy Shelling
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7th October 1915 Holding the Line
8th October 1915 Holding the Line
9th October 1915 Holding the Line
10th October 1915 Holding the Line
11th October 1915 Holding the Line
12th October 1915 Heavy Shelling
13th October 1915 Reliefs
16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme
14th to 31st October 1915 Working Parties
1st November 1915 Working Parties
3rd November 1915 Working Party
5th November 1915 Working Parties
6th November 1915 Move
9th November 1915 Move
10th November 1915 On the March
11th to 19th November 1915 Training
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23rd to 26th November 1915 Working Parties
26th November 1915 Reliefs
27th November 1915 Holding the Line
28th November 1915 Holding the Line
29th November 1915 Shelling
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November 1915
1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets
1st to 4th December 1915 In Camp
4th December 1915 Reliefs
5th December 1915 Under Shellfire
6th December 1915 Shelling
7th December 1915 Quiet
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9th to 12th December 1915
11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment
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10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens
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17th January 1916 Holding the Line
18th January 1916 Holding the Line
19th January 1916 Holding the Line
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23rd January 1916 In Billets
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February 1916
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9th February 1916 Officer Killed
9th February 1916 Call Ups
11th February 1916 On the March
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15th Feb 1916 Reorganisation
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20th February 1916 On the March
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2nd Mar 1916 Objective Captured
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18th March 1916 Reinforcements
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20th to 24th March 1916 Divisional Reserve
25th March 1916 Reliefs
26th March 1916 Holding the Line
27th March 1916 Holding the Line
28th March 1916 Holding the Line
29th March 1916 Holding the Line
30th March 1916 Snipers
March 1916 Report
1st April 1916 In Billets
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6th April 1916 Reliefs
7th April 1916 Holding the Line
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12th April 1916 Reliefs Complete
13th to 18th April 1916 Training
19th April 1916 Reliefs Complete
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25th April 1916 Shelling
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15th October 1916 Btn in Bde reserve
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25th October 1916 On the Move
26th October 1916 Rest and training
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11th of April 1917 Reliefs
12th of April 1917 Reliefs
12th of April 1917 Very Cold West Day
24th of April 1917 Orders
10th July 1917 Administrative Orders for move
19th August 1917 Operational Order 125
20th September 1917 Operational Order 131
26th Feb 1918 Reliefs Complete
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These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.
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Those known to have served with7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps during the Great War 1914-1918. - Agnew Arthur. Rfmn. (d.19th Aug 1916)
- Anderton Alfred Reuben. L/Cpl. (d.6th December 1917)
- Asher Herbert. Rfmn. (d.6th Jul 1915)
- Badetscher John Henry. L/Cpl. (d.30th Jul 1915)
- Barratt Frederick Martin. Rflmn. (d.10th Jul 1917)
- Benford A T. Rfn. (d.6th Jul 1915)
- Briley Joseph. Rfn. (d.9th Sept 1914)
- Burdett Alfred. Rfmn. (d.6th Jul 1915)
- Dempster Harry Skeel Duncan. L/Cpl. (d.3rd Aug 1915)
- Dibsdale Reginald Morden. Pte.
- Donald William Alexander. Pte. (d.15th Sep 1916)
- Dowden Joseph George. Rfmn. (d.18th Jul 1916)
- Dry James Robert. Rflmn. (d.20th Sep 1917)
- Everall Harold. Rfmn. (d.23rd December 1915)
- Fairlie Edward. Maj. (d.30th Mar 1918)
- Gargini Jack. Rflmn. (d.11th May 1917)
- Giles Charles Elvin. Rfm.
- Glover Humphrey William. Pte. (d.4th December 1917)
- Hawley Arthur George. Rfmn. (d.30th Jul 1915)
- Heath George Robert. Rfmn.
- Heaver Harry Robert. L/Cpl. (d.15th Sep 1916)
- Herbertson Andrew Hunter. Lt. (d.15th May 1917)
- Hollis Arthur. Pte. (d.30th July 1915)
- Irwin A F. Rfn. (d.6th Jul 1915)
- King J.. Rflm. (d.16th Mar 1917)
- Lee Harry. Rflmn. (d.11th May 1917)
- Low Harold Ayling. Rflmn. (d.21st March 1918)
- Mann Herbert Henry. Sgt (d.1915)
- McGavin Charles Abercrombie. 2nd Lt. (d.24th Nov 1917)
- McIntosh MM. Robert. Rfn.
- Medhurst Arthur William. Sgt. (d.30th July 1915)
- Miller Eli. Rfmn. (d.6th Jul 1915)
- Mills Walter. Rfmn. (d.21st Mar 1918)
- Nicholson Wilfred. Pte. (d.2nd Apr 1918)
- Oakden Frank. Rfmn. (d.18th Sep 1916)
- Oldham Arthur. Rflm. (d.30th Jul 1915)
- Parker Albert E.. Rfmn. (d.15th May 1916)
- Petty Silvester. Rflmn. (d.26th Aug 1916)
- Pritchard John David. Rflmn.
- Prowse George. Sgt. (d.13th Aug 1915)
- Quarmby James Arthur. Rifleman (d.15 Sep 1916)
- Ramsay Keith Winton. Lt. (d.3rf May 1916)
- Rennie DSO MID George Arthur. Brig.Gen.
- Rush B.. Rfmn. (d.6th Jul 1915)
- Saward Charles Jay. Rflmn (d.18th August 1916)
- Sedgwick Joseph. Rfm. (d.6th Jul 1915)
- Smith Ernest. CSM (d.11th Oct1917)
- Somers-Smith Richard Willingdon. 2nd Lt. (d.30th Jun 1915)
- Stead Thomas Albert. Pte.
- Stead Thomas Albert. Pte (d.1949)
- Stearns Patrick Chillingworth. 2nd Lt. (d.4th Dec 1917)
- Tomlinson William. Rflmn. (d.23rd April 1917)
- Townsend John. Rflmn. (d.2nd Sep 1915)
- Treeves Alfred Edward. Rfmn. (d.3rd Aug 1915)
- Wickes Charles. Rifleman. (d.30th July 1915)
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,
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Records of 7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps from other sources.
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Rflmn. Silvester Petty 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.26th Aug 1916) Silvester Petty served with the 7th Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
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Rfmn. Harold Everall 10th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd December 1915) Harold Everall was born 1890 in Coventry, Warwarckshire and was a soldier in WW1. He enlisted 3rd of September 1914 serving with the 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He died of wounds 23rd of December 1915 at which time he was with the 10th Battalion. He was aged 24 years and is buried Sailly-sur-la-Lys, Canadian Cemetery in France. Son of A. John and Jane Everall of 64 Kingsway, Coventry.
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Rflmn. Harold Ayling Low 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st March 1918) Harold was the eldest son of Thomas William Low and Julia Ayling of Breachwood Green, near Welwyn Hertfordshire. He was born in Lower Clapton, Middlesex in 1891. Shortly after his birth Harold was living with his parents in Wratten Road, Hitchin and Thomas was working as a police constable. In 1901 Harold was living with his parents and brothers John & Albert and sister, Lily in Cole Green, Hertingfordbury, Hertford. Thomas was a police constable. In the 1911 census Harold is living with his mother, brothers John and Albert and sisters Lily and Edna at Grantham Cottage, Knebworth, Hertfordshire.
He enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps in London on the 3rd July 1915, at the age of 25 years. Before enlisting he had been employed as a clerk by The Great Northern Railway Company, and was living on Hitchin Road, Arlesey. Harold was posted to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 9th July 1915 and posted to BEF on 23rd December.
Harold was admitted to hospital on 4th July 1916 suffering from wounds to his face that were described by the Medical Officer as being "of a trivial nature". His injury occurred while he was in the performance of military duty. He was granted a furlough from 23rd November to 3rd December 1917 to visit his parents and stayed at the Queen's Head in Breachwood Green. Harold was reported as missing on 21st March 1918 and his death was presumed to have occurred on this date.
Harold was awarded the 1914-15 Star and this was sent to his father in February 1920. Remembered with honour at Pozieres Memorial
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Pte Thomas Albert Stead 7th Btn King's Royal Rifle Company (d.1949) Thomas Albert Stead came from a large Rothwell mining family which had its roots in the area going back to at least the middle of the 18th century.
Tom, as he was known, joined the King's Royal Rifles Regiment on 1914-10-14 as a private and was given the number R5968.
He served in France from May 1915 but was discharged at the end of July 1917, "no longer fit for military service," after being wounded.
In common with those who fought and survived the war, he was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, and the 1915 Star.
Before he went off to war in 1914, Tom Stead had two children with Mabel: Albert born in 1912, and Joseph, a year later.
Albert also joined the army but died in a swimming accident in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1936
For a while Tom and Rachel lived in one of the council houses on Fourth Avenue on Rothwell Haigh, with Tom probably working at Fanny Pit nearby, but in about 1934 they moved to the Kent coalfield where Tom got a job at Betteshanger colliery near Deal.
He was very active in politics and union work and had many letters published in the Kent Times about the conditions miners worked in.
When the 1939 Register was compiled it indicated he had been working as a ripper but by that time was "incapacitated".
A few years later, Tom, Rachel and their son moved back to Yorkshire where they lived near Doncaster.
He died in 1949.
Joe Stead followed his father "down 't pit" and went with him to Kent. He also became a soldier and served in the Second World War. He was 88 when he passed away in 2003.
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2nd Lt. Charles Abercrombie McGavin 18th Btn Hampshire Regiment (d.24th Nov 1917) One of seven children, Charles McGavin was born in West Ham in 1875, the son of Jamima, a widow who was born in Calcutta and had returned home. On 7th May 1896 at age 21 Charles was certified as a second mate on a foreign ship in the merchant service. On 24th Jan 1902 he was again certified and promoted to first mate now aged 27. In 1909 he married Elizabeth Spreadborough and by 1911 was living at 132 Charlton Lane, Charlton, Kent and is the father of Charles John born c1909 and Lora Bertha born c1911. His occupation according to the 1911 census is that of an Officer in the Mercantile Marine.At the outbreak of WW1 Charles enlisted in the Army and was sent to Winchester where he joined the 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps as A/626 Rfn McGavin. It is assumed that due to his experience in the merchant service he was found to be suitable for a technical role and eventually ended up within the Signals section of the Btn achieving the rank of Sjt. Following deployment to France in May 1915 with the Battalion, on 6th of November 1915, Sjt McGavin was given a commission to 2nd Lt and transferred to 18th Btn Hampshire Regiment, a home service Battalion. At some point during his time with the Hampshire's 2nd Lt McGavin found himself attached to 5th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps and it was whilst carrying out his duties with the 5th that he died on 24th Nov 1917 aged 42.
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Rflmn. Jack Gargini 7th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.11th May 1917) I believe Jack Gargini must have been a relative of my grandfather, possibly a cousin, but I am still investigating. Gargini is a rare name and my family came from Genova in Italy. My Great Grandfather was Italian. I am looking into the history of my ancestors. My grandfather was Remo John Gargini who also served in the First World War and survived, his brother called Giacomo Gargini (nicknamed Jack), also survived the Great War.
Jack Gargini was born in St Pancras, Middlesex. He was killed in action in France and Flanders and was in his early twenties.
I believe he was an only child, I am a mother of one son and can only imagine the heart break that must have been felt by his parents. It is a privilege to remember and honour his memory.
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Lt. Andrew Hunter Herbertson 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th May 1917) In 1992 I worked for Cumbria County Council as a care worker. An elderly lady, Dr Margaret Herbertson, told me of her sadness losing her brother Andrew Herbertson. He died serving with the 7th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps and is buried in Arras British Cemetery. She was one of the first female students to qualify in medicine from Oxford and was later to become a GP at the birth of the National Health Service.
Andrew's father was the first Professor of Geography at Oxford - Andrew John Herbertson. Andrew was his only son.
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Sgt. George Prowse 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.13th Aug 1915) George Prowse was 41 when he enlisted in the Army for the second time on 12th of August 1914, he had seen previous service with the Devonshire Regiment. At the time of his enlistment George was living in Ramsay House, Church Path, Acton, London along with his wife Esther, his daughter Vera and his sons George and Arthur and was working as a groom.
On 14th Aug 1914 he arrived at Winchester and a few days later was appointed L/Cpl. On the 24th Aug he was posted on to the strength of the 7th Btn KRRC and promoted to Cpl on the 30th Aug. George must have proven himself a very capable, experienced soldier resulting in him becoming a Sjt on 1st Dec 1914.
George embarked for France with his Battalion in May 1915 arriving in the area East of Ypres where following a period of instruction in trench warfare etc he, along with the Battalion settled into the front line routine.
On 29th Jun the Battalion took over trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm from 43rd Infantry Brigade for a period of 9 days. Whilst in these trenches on 8th July George was wounded in action. The Battalion war diaries state that 'The whole of this tour of duty in the trenches was marked by considerable German artillery activity'.
On 20th July George was again wounded this time it was considerably more serious receiving gunshot wounds to his neck, legs and arm. George died of his wounds on 13th Aug 1915.
He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery.
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Rfmn. Alfred Edward Treeves 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd Aug 1915) Alfred Treeves was a wood machinist by trade, the son of George and Agnes Treeves of 72 Distillery Rd, Old Brentford, Middlesex. He is commemorated at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.
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L/Cpl. Harry Skeel Duncan Dempster 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd Aug 1915) Harry Duncan Dempster was born in Bromyard, Herefordshire in 1889. The son of Robert Duncan Dempster and his wife Margaret.
Prior to enlistment on 2nd Nov 1914 he was employed as a clerk. He was sent to the Rifle Depot at Winchester and was posted on strength of the 7th Btn KRRC on 10th of Nov 1914. Harry was promoted to L/Cpl on 28th Apr 1915 a month before the Battalion embarked for France.
According to telegrams sent to Winchester from the War Office on 3rd Aug 1915 Harry was a patient undergoing treatment at No. 24 General Hospital in Etaples and is reported as being dangerously ill following a gunshot wound to his head. This telegram is timed as received at 9.45am and suggests that his relatives were informed. A second telegram received at 1.31pm states that Harry had died from his wounds.
Harry was unmarried but on his death left behind his father, mother, 4 brothers and 5 sisters.
L/Cpl Dempster is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery. His father had the following inscription carved on the cross that marks his grave 'Until The Day Dawns And The Shadows Flee Away'.
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Rfmn. Arthur George Hawley 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Jul 1915) Rfn. Arthur George Hawley was born in Birmingham and was employed as a cabinet maker. He enlisted in the Army on 22nd Aug 1914 and joined the 7th Btn. KRRC. He was sent to France with his Btn on 19th May 1915 and was eventually occupying trenches in the Ypres area. Rfn. Hawley was killed in action in the trenches to the North of Sanctuary Wood near the Hooge Crater on 30th Jul 1915 during a day of intensive fighting. He is one of the 114 members of 7th Btn KRRC killed on that day and is commemorated along with others of his Btn on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.
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L/Cpl. John Henry Badetscher 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Jul 1915) John Badetscher was born 11th Jul 1885 the son of John Badetscher a butler of Swiss nationality and Annie Giblin. He volunteered to join the Army on 14th Aug 1914. He was posted as Rfmn. upon transfer to B Coy, 7th KRRC on 31st Oct 1914 in Winchester. Following promotion to L/Cpl. on 29th Jan 1915 he embarked for France with his Btn on 19th May 1915 and after a period of training in trench warfare the Battalion was sent to the area of Ypres.At 3am on 30th Jul 1915 the Germans attacked the Allied positions along the Ypres front in force. B Coy was occupying trenches G2 and G3 near Hooge to the North of Sanctuary Wood. This attack was the first time flamethrowers were used against British troops and the effect was devastating. Very soon the 8th Btn, Rifle Brigade who were holding the trenches to the left and rear of B Coy broke and withdrew. This left B Coy in a position whereby they were coming under enemy fire from the front, left and rear. They defended their position throughout the day slowly being pushed along the trenches towards Sanctuary Wood. Sometime in the early afternoon elements of 8th Btn, KRRC arrived and helped the remnants of B Coy hold the position. It was during this period of fierce fighting that L/Cpl Badetscher was killed whilst laying mines to defend B Coys position. Available records show that his body was eventually recovered by a detachment from 1st Btn Royal Fusiliers and buried but unfortunately it would appear that the location was lost as he has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.
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2nd Lt. Richard Willingdon Somers-Smith 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Jun 1915) 2nd Lt. Somers-Smith was the eldest son of Robert Vernon Somers-Smith and M Gertrude Radcliffe. He was born 27th Oct 1882. He was educated at Eton and Merton College Oxford where he was a distinguished athlete representing both at rowing and running. On completion of his education he left the UK for Ceylon to work within the tea plantation industry.At the outbreak of WW1 he returned to the UK and was offered a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the 7th Btn KRRC. On 30th Jun 1915 whilst occupying front-line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm, East of Ypres enemy artillery fire hit the trenches his men were occupying burying several of them. 2nd Lt. Somers-Smith ran forward to assist in digging his men free and was killed in the attempt. He is buried beside a fellow 7th Btn Officer, 2nd Lt. H Grew in the Bedford House Cemetery.
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Rfmn. Joseph George Dowden 7th Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.18th Jul 1916) Joseph Dowden was born about 1889 in Marylebone London, a grocers assistant when he was 28 years old, he enlisted in the Army in 1914. He was married to Lilian who was 23 and pregnant with his second child, they already had a 4 year old son Edward and were living at 8 Cumberland St, Westminster.On the 21st of August 1914 George arrived at the Rifle Depot Winchester to begin training and was posted on strength of the 7th KRRC serving in C Coy on 25th Aug 1914. 13 days later tragedy struck. Sadly on 7th Sept 1914 Lily died as a result of giving birth. Her death is attributed to her pregnancy and puerperal septicemia. George was given leave to bury his wife and make arrangements for his children. From available records the children were cared for by the Children's Aid Committee from this period. George went absent from duty on the 31st Dec 1914 returning to the Battalion 15 days later on the 14th Jan 1915 and was fined 15 days pay. On the 24th Jan 1915 George again went absent without leave and was declared a deserter. He was struck off strength of the Regiment on 16th Feb 1915 following a Court of Inquiry carried out at Hindhead presided over by Capt. HM Gosling and 2nd Lt's. N B Fuller and J H Roe after evidence was heard from 1542 L/Sjt Pickup 7th KRRC. Despite all that had occurred George voluntarily returned to the Battalion on 2nd Mar 1915 and following a disciplinary hearing was awarded 28 days field punishment No. 2a which would possibly have been forced hard labour and secured when not working to prevent further escape. On the 19th May 1915 he embarked for France with his Battalion. After a period of training in trench warfare 7th Btn KRRC moved into the front-line trenches east of Ypres. He is recorded as being admitted to 16 General Hospital on 27th Jul 1915 with a distal radius fracture of his left arm. After a period of recovery in Rouen and light duties in 14th Division base area he returned to C Coy on 4th Sept 1915. On the 29th Sept 1915 he was injured again and was admitted to the 13th and then the 25th General Hospital for treatment. After a further period of convalescence and light duties he returned to his Battalion on 25th Feb 1916. On 1st Jul 1916 he was taken to No.30 Casualty Clearing Station with a serious gunshot wound. He died following treatment on 19th Jul 1916. There are several documents available showing that his children were still being cared for under the Children's Aid Committee the last known address for his son Edward being 22 East Stratton, Micheldelver, Winchester where on 29th Nov 1917 hiss personnel effects were sent. They consisted of 1 watch, 1 disc, 2 photographs a photograph case and a birth certificate.
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Rfmn. Arthur Agnew 7th Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.19th Aug 1916) Arthur Agnew, the son of Alice Agnew of 47 New Road, Chilworth, Guildford, and the late Thomas Agnew was 19 when he enlisted in the Army on 3rd Aug 1915 arriving at the Rifle Depot Winchester on 5th Aug 1915. He was initially posted to the 6th Btn on 14th Aug 1915 but after arriving in France he was posted to the 7th Btn on 2nd of February 1916. He died on 19th of Augusr 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
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Rfn. Joseph Briley 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. (d.9th Sept 1914) Rfn Joseph Briley is the first casualty suffered by the 7th Battalion, KRRC during WW1.He was 30 years old when he re-enlisted in the KRRC on 29th Aug 1914 having previously served as 3328 Rfn Briley for a short period from 1900 at age 19 during the Boer War.His trade is listed as a Brass Moulder on his enlistment documentation and the 1911 census shows he was working manufacturing taps. Joseph, the son of Harry married Ellen Briley nee Hill on the 11th Sept 1909 in Birmingham. They had a daughter Ellen a year later.Joseph is listed as posted from the Depot in Winchester on 5th Sept 1914 to 7th Btn KRRC. Tragically he is also listed as attempting suicide for an unknown reason on the 6th Sept 1914. Rfmn Joseph Briley died on the 9th Sept 1914 at Chatham Hospital. He is buried in Fort Pitt Military Cemetery, Kent.
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Rfmn. B. Rush 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915) B. Rush signed up for service with the Army and was sent to Winchester to begin training and was eventually taken on strength of the 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He embarked for France on 19th May 1915 travelling by train through France into Belgium where his Battalion took up positions in the Ypres salient.He is listed by the CWGC as having died on 6th July 1915 whilst the Battalion was manning front line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm to the East of Railway Wood. He is buried at the Ypres Town Cemetery Extension.
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Rfmn. Eli Miller 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915) Eli Miller, a tailor from Birmingham signed up for service with the Army and was sent to Winchester to begin training and was eventually taken on strength of the 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He embarked for France on 19th May 1915 travelling by train through France into Belgium where his Battalion took up positions in the Ypres salient.He is listed as having died on 6th July 1915 whilst the Bataliotn was manning front line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm to the East of Railway Wood and is Commemorated at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.
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Rfmn. Alfred Burdett 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915) Alfred Burdett, a carter from Birmingham signed up for service with the Army on 18th Aug 1914 aged 22. He was sent to Winchester to begin training and was eventually taken on strength of the 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 21st Aug 1914. He embarked for France on 19th of May 1915 travelling by train through France into Belgium where his Batttalion took up positions in the Ypres salient.He is listed as having died on 6th July 1915 whilst the Battalion was manning front line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm to the East of Railway Wood. He is Commemorated at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. From information available his next of kin, his mother Sarah Ann Burdett for whatever reason never accepted or not received his medals as they appear to have been returned unopened.
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Maj. Edward Fairlie 17th (British Empire League) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Mar 1918) Edward Fairlie was born about 1882 the son of William Fairlie, J.P., D.L., of Holms, Ayrshire. He was the husband of Marjorie Fairlie. He joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps during August 1914 and was commissioned into the 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He arrived in France with his Battalion during May 1915 and is recorded in the Battalion War Diaries on 11th June 1915 as a Captain who was wounded in the area around Gordons Farm near Ypres.At some point Edward was promoted to the rank of Major and was killed in action on 30th March 1918 whilst on attachment to 17th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.
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