69th Company, Machine Gun Corps

The 69th Machine Gun Company was formed Grantham, Lincolnshire on the 4th of March 1916 and joined 69th Brigade, 23rd Division at Frensham in September, as the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent then to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of May for final training. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. They fought alongside the 10th Btn. and 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusilers, the 12th and 13th battalions Durham Light Infantry and the 69th Trench Mortar Battery. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. On the 1st of April 1918 the Company joined with the other MGC's of the Division to become No 23 Battalion, MGC.

24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation

21st Jan 1918 Course

5th Feb 1918 Course Ends

13th Feb 1918 Personnel

21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation

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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
69th Company, Machine Gun Corps
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Baker William Ingram. (d.7th Jun 1917)
Davies MM.. Robert William. Pte.
Fulbrook Frederick George. Pte. (d.7th Jun 1917)
Grant Robert William. Pte. (d.7th Jun 1917)
Newton J.. Pte. (d.8th Jun 1917)
Pain Major William. Pte. (d.7th Jun 1917)
Stewart Donald. Pte. (d.7th Jun 1917)
Symes MC.. George William. 2nd Lt.

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246272

Pte. Robert William Davies MM. 69th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

Robert Davies was my grandfather, he died in 1981 in Stockton on Tees, Co Durham. During the attack of the 69th Brigade on the Hill 60 Sector on 7th of June 1917. He was wounded in the wrist and was awarded the Military Medal for his actions.
Later in the War my Grandfather was taken prisoner by the Germans, he finally arrived home on Stockton on Tees around March 1922.
I am still in the process of trying to find more details of his history between 1917 and 1922.
John Davies

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224140

2nd Lt. George William Symes MC. 69th Company Machine Gun Corps

George Symes was awarded the Military Cross and later the bar. Citation details: "69th Machine Gun Company - 2nd Lieut. George William Symes. During the attack on Le Sars on 7th of October 1916 this officer advanced along a communication trench and single-handed captured 20(twenty) Germans. After taking off the equipment of the prisoners he sent them back to our lines, while himself remaining alone to guard the trench. This officer also handled the guns with marked ability and has frequently made bold and valuable reconnaissances. Throughout the operation at Le Sars this officer has done work which only his great powers of physical endurance could have sustained. His coolness, judgement and courage have been of the utmost value to the Brigade." Lt Colonel, A A & 0 M G 23rd Division 69th Company, Machine Gun Corps.
"2nd Lieut. (temp. Lieut) George William Symes, M.C. Has carried out his duties with unfailing courage, ability and cheerfulness since February 1916, showing great gallantry at all the actions in which the Brigade had taken part. Throughout one battle he commanded his section with conspicuous ability. Meeting suddenly a hostile party when alone with his servant, he went straight at them, killing two with his revolver, and wounding and scattering the remainder who were afterwards captured. He again commanded his section with conspicuous success and gallantry in a subsequent Battle. Awarded the Bar to Military Cross, January 1918." March 1918, Brigadier General, Commanding 69th Infantry Brigade.
Anne Young

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69th Company, Machine Gun Corps

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Those known to have served with69th Company, Machine Gun Corpsduring the Great War 1914-1918.

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Announcements

Recomended Reading.

Links

The Wartime Memories Project
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Those known to have served with
69th Company, Machine Gun Corps
during the Great War 1914-1918.