6th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment

   The 6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Skipton-in-Craven. A Company was based in Skipton-in-Craven and Barnoldswick, B Coy in Skipton-in-Craven, C Coy in Guiseley, D and E Coys in Keighley, F Coy in Settle and Ingleton, G Coy at The Drill Hall, Drill Street, Haworth and H Coy in Bingley. They had a cadet corps in Settle. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service, taking up possition on the coastal defences near Hull and Grimsby. On the 5th of November they moved to billets in Doncaster for the winter. They trained in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in preparation for service overseeas. They proceeded to France on the 16th of April 1915, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 147th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

4th Aug 1914 2nd West Riding Brigade leave Marske  The 2nd West Riding Brigade are at their annual camp near Marske on the North Yorkshire Coast, they broke camp this morning. 3000 territorials of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment marched to Saltburn station and entrained on specially commissioned rolling stock, for their home bases.
11th DLI Martin Bashforth

4th Aug 1914 Guiseley Territorials Mobilise

29th Apr 1915 Shelling

30th Apr 1915 Fear of Attack

16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme

1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets

11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment

10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens

9th February 1916 Call Ups

1st of June 1916 Lively Shelling

27th of February 1917 Reliefs

19th Mar 1917 Trench Raid

20th Mar 1917 Patrol

21st Mar 1917 Occasional Shells

4th June 1917 Entertainment

14th June 1917 Horse Show

1st Nov 1917 Inspection

2nd Nov 1917 Training

3rd Nov 1917 Orders

4th Nov 1917 Orders

5th Nov 1917 Demonstration

6th Nov 1917 Orders

7th Nov 1917 Orders

9th Nov 1917 Reliefs

11th Nov 1917 Reliefs

12th Nov 1917 Reliefs

19th Nov 1917 Prisoners

20th Nov 1917 Communications

21st Nov 1917 Orders

23rd Nov 1917 Quiet

24th Nov 1917 Shelling

25th Nov 1917 Shelling

27th Nov 1917 Reliefs

28th Nov 1917 Reliefs

29th Nov 1917 Reliefs

1st Mar 1918 Raid

2nd Mar 1918 Prisoners Taken

6th Mar 1918 Shelling

7th Mar 1918 Information

8th Mar 1918 Artillery Active

9th Mar 1918 Counter Attack

10th Mar 1918 Quiet

11th Mar 1918 Trench Raid

12th Mar 1918 Balloon

13th Mar 1918 Trench Raid

14th Mar 1918 Shellfire

15th Mar 1918 Artillery Active

16th Mar 1918 Artillery Active

17th Mar 1918 Raid

18th Mar 1918 Shelling

19th Mar 1918 Quieter

20th Mar 1918 Shelling

21st Mar 1918 Gas

22nd Mar 1918 Enemy Quieter

23rd Mar 1918 Enemy Quieter

24th Mar 1918 Prisoners

25th Mar 1918 Raids

26th Mar 1918 Orders

27th Mar 1918 Reliefs

28th Mar 1918 Quiet

29th Mar 1918 Quiet

30th Mar 1918 Reliefs

31st Mar 1918 Quiet

1st Apr 1918 Reliefs

2nd Apr 1918 Intermittent Shelling

3rd Apr 1918 Reliefs

4th Apr 1918 Quiet

5th Apr 1918 Reliefs

6th Apr 1918 Reliefs

7th Apr 1918 Raid

8th Apr 1918 Training  6th Btn West Riding Regiment are at Otago Camp, engaged in training.

8th Apr 1918 Prisoners

9th Apr 1918 On the March  6th Battalion, West Riding Rgt moved to the Busseboom area, with H. Q. in Busseboom and companies in Horseshoe Camp & No. 6 Camp. The men marched well and everyone was settled by 4pm.

9th Apr 1918 Messages

9th Apr 1918 Orders

10th Apr 1918 Orders to Move  Orders were received by the 6th West Ridings at 12.15am to move off from Reninghelct in buses; the buses moved off about 3am. and we arrived at Le Creche at about 5am. We then proceeded to march to the vicinity of Le Veau (map reference B14a, Sheet 36) where the battalion halted and their packs were stacked. Tea was made for the men and the orders for the next moved were issued. Our transport proceeded by road from the Busseboom area to vicinity of Neuve Eglise (map reference T14b, sheet 18).
The battalion moved off a little after 9am by platoons at 100 yard intervals and took up an assembly position about L'Epinette cross roads (map reference B27b, sheet 36. 'A' and 'B' companies were to the south and 'C' and 'D' companies to the north. The 1/4th. D. of W. were on our right and the 1/7th. D. of W. were on our left. From 10.30am onwards, Erquinghem-Lys was heavily shelled. Orders were received at about 1pm. and the battalion moved across to the Nieppe defences, which consisted of a strong line well wired. Our left rested on Armentieres Road (map reference B16b, sheet Croix du Bac) after readjustement with 1/7th. Battalion. 'B' Company were on the right with the right part of the railway (map reference B28a)and 'D' Company was on the left with the left part on the Armentieres road. 'C' Company was at first in support but later was pushed in to assist 'B' Company.
'A' Company remained in reserve but sent one platoon to be in close support to 'B' and 'C' Companies. Our trenches filled up all day with stragglers from the 22nd. and 25th. Northumberland Fusiliers and the 15th. and 16th. Royal Scots. One complete company of the 23rd. N. F.'s crowded into the left of our line and came under our C. O.'s orders. A fairly quiet night passed with some shelling on Nieppe and Pont du Nieppe. Gas shells were prevalent.
Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were 10964 Private H. Kilburn (Killed in Action), 19550 Private W. Marsden (Wounded), 24765 Lance Corporal H. Spink (Wounded), 267843 Private C. Sprigg (Wounded) and 267555 Private A Stocks. (Wounded accidentally)

10th Apr 1918 Messages

10th Apr 1918 In Action

10th Apr 1918 Attack Made

11th Apr 1918 Minnenwerfers in Action  During the early morning, the Bosche established his machine guns in the outskirts of Pont du Nieppe and became very active. Also his Minnenwerfer trench mortars opened up on us about 11am., assisted by field guns at close range.
At about 1pm., a party of enemy approached the trench of 6th West Riding Regt 'B' company, working up an old trench and sunken road. Owing to disgraceful behaviour on the part of some N.F.s, who ran out to meet him with their hands up, the enemy entered our trench. Captain Clough was wounded through the face and 2nd. Lieutenant Shaw was killed in attempting to turn out the Bosche. Two platoons of 'C' Company were despatched along the trench from left to right but, having no bench, were not able to dislodge the enemy, as it was impossible to get out of the trench owing to incessant machine gun fire. A block was established and a refused(?) right flank was made by a platoon of 'C' Company, who kept in touch with the 2nd. East Lancs. on the railway, some ground being given by them. Shelling and trench mortar on our line continued to be very intensive, especially in support and back areas. During morning and early afternoon, 2nd. Lieutenant Stewart was killed by rifle fire and Lieutenant Bain was wounded by a machine gun bullet.
At about 4pm., some No. 5 Grenades were secured and plans were made to drive the Bosche out of our trenches. While these plans were being, the enemy commenced to work his way further down our trench. He was therefore attacked across the open from the rear and finally ejected, leaving about 20 dead and 1 prisoner in our hands. 2nd. Lieutenant Baker was seriously wounded and Sergeant Burrows was killed in this enterprise. A machine gun team of the 34th. Division rendered valuable assistance and 71064 Private Womersley, 'B' Company, 34th. Machine Gun Battalion, behaved particularly well and, although wounded severely in the arm, remained at his gun and tried to continue firing. The C. O. rallied the men and went forward at the head of the attacking party. Captain Ogston, 2nd. Lieutenant Baker and 2nd. Lieutenant Whitehead led their men splendidly.
At 7pm., orders were received to withdraw platoons down the Bailleul road. By 11.30pm., the battalion was successfully withdrawn and bivouacked at crossroads just south of Bailleul (map reference S27 centre, sheet 28.) Groups(?) were pushed out.
Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were Captain S. H. Clough (Wounded), Lieutenant P. H. Bain (wounded), 2nd. Lt. H. F. Baker (Wounded), 2nd. Lt. C. R. Shaw (Killed in Action), 2nd. Lt. G. Stewart (Killed in Action), 2nd. Lt. A. M. Whitehead (Wounded at Duty), 300189 Sergeant J. W. Booth (Wounded), 266723 Sergeant G. W. Burrows (Killed in Action), 266083 Sergeant H. Smith (Killed in Action), 265298 Sergeant A. Stott (Killed in Action), 265924 Lance Sergeant H. Lowcock (Missing), 268049 Lance Sergeant L. Swallow (Wounded), 267558 Corporal J. Goldsborough (Wounded), 265092 Corporal H. Leach (Wounded), 242534 Corporal W. Nicholson (Missing), 265195 Corporal H. Swinden (Wounded), 267793 Corporal H. H. Whitehead (Wounded), 8673 Lance Corporal C. Bailey (Wounded), 265502 Lance Corporal D. Bamforth (Wounded), 24878 Lance Corporal G. Falconer (Wounded), 268276 Lance Corporal L. Hartley (Wounded), 268475 Lance Corporal W. Keeley (Wounded), 24408 Lance Corporal F. Metcalfe (Killed in Action), 267495 Lance Corporal E. Sayer (Killed in Action), 14911 Lance Corporal H. Whittaker (Missing), 16695 Private J. Adamthwaite (Killed in Action), 26487 Private G. F. Alfred (Missing), 18896 Private J. A. Bailey (Wounded), 266677 Private H. A. Barker (Wounded), 16986 Private H. Barraclough (Killed in Action), 11333 Private N. Bates (Wounded), 267901 Private J. F. Batley (Wounded), 268430 Private F. Battye (Wounded), 26502 Private S. H. Bell (Wounded), 267917 Private C. Bennett (Missing), 202424 Private J. H. Berry (Wounded), 23867 Private H. Bolton (Wounded), 242578 Private H. Booth (Missing), 306412 Private W. Boyle (Wounded), 266129 Private F. Bracewell (Wounded), 265680 Private W. G. Briggs (Killed in Action), 26677 Private W. Brittle (Killed in Action), 241458 Private N. Broadbent (Missing), 265143 Private A. W. Brooke (Wounded), 265977 Private J. W. Brown (Wounded),26666 Private P. Brown (Wounded), 200365 Private W. Bussey (Wounded),240023 Private F. Cartwright (Killed in Action), 267444 Private J. Caunt (Wounded), 242585 Private W. Chambers (Wounded), 23879 Private T. Charles (Wounded), 265299 Private F. Clarke (Wounded), 206325 Private Connelly (Killed in Action), 267899 Private H. Cook (Wounded), 267554 Private W. W. Cooper (Wounded at Duty), 26134 Private F. Cox (Killed in Action), 263012 Private J. Darby (Wounded), 201388 Private G. R. Dillon (Wounded), 267534 Private C. A. Emmott (Killed in Action), 267369 Private F. Evans (Missing), 10924 Private H. Foster (Wounded), 26668 Private E. Gamblen (Wounded), 242618 Private J. C. Garner (Missing), 267506 Private J. Gilfoyle (Wounded), 265775 Private H. Gooding (Killed in Action), 267335 Private E. Grazier (Wounded), 267860 Private W. S. Greasley (Missing), 267861 Private J. W. Greaves (Wounded), 267358 Private E. R. Green (Missing), 25504 Private W. Green (Wounded), 26556 Private J. Haley (Wounded), 26550 Private G. Hardcastle (Missing), 267420 Private S. Hardy (Killed in Action), 17077 Private G. Harper (Killed in Action), 242614 Private G. Harwood (Wounded), 265796 Private W. E. Haxby (Wounded), 306230 Private H. Hill (Killed in Action), 241325 Private F. Hinchliffe (Wounded), 265537 Private F. Hird (Missing), 267867 Private H. Holland (Killed in Action), 242915 Private G. E. Holliday (Killed in Action), 265054 Private J. Hollingdrake (Wounded), 266596 Private W. Horsman (Killed in Action), 242172 Private P. Howe (Killed in Action), 240079 Private P. Ingham (Killed in Action), 267422 Private H. R. Jackson (Wounded), 267469 Private N. Jackson (Missing), 41156 Private R. E. Johnson (Wounded), 41154 Private A. Jeffery (Wounded), 303005 Private A. Jowett (Missing), 41160 Private R. T. Lamb (Killed in Action), 26575 Private R. Lawson (Wounded), 242185 Private H. Lee (Wounded), 242387 Private F. Long (Missing), 26593 Private W. E. Maycock (Killed in Action), 267527 J. R. Merry (Wounded), 265176 Private F. Miller (Wounded), 17050 Private J. Milne (Wounded), 265014 Private J. Moore (Wounded and missing), 41185 Private T. C. Mudd (Wounded & died of wounds 13/04/1918), 241106 Private W. Naylor (Killed in Action), 266967 Private H. Newhouse (Wounded), 41190 Private F. Newton (Wounded), 26717 Private A. Nicholson (Missing), 266498 Private E. Oversby (Wounded),26604 Private J. R. Parker (Killed in Action), 17065 Private J. Patterson (Missing), 41193 Private F. Pemberton (Missing), 265056 Private C. R. Pinder (Missing), 265446 Private D. Powell (Wounded), 242934 Private J. Priestley (Wounded), 265010 Private T. Ralph (Wounded at Duty), 267733 Private H. Rawnsley (Killed in Action), 266409 Private L. Ream (Missing), 26141 Private C. Redshaw (Wounded & Missing), 267579 Private M. Riley (Wounded), 267584 Private H. Roebuck (Missing), 266136 Private M. Rogers (Missing), 41199 Private W. F. Rowe (Killed in Action), 267568 Private W. Rushworth (Killed in Action), 242856 Private J. H. Shields (Wounded), 24433 Private G. W. Simpson (Wounded), 266554 Private R. S. Smith (Wounded), 267723 Private G. Snowden (Wounded), 267834 Private G. Spencer (Wounded), 41208 Private W. R. Spencer (Wounded and missing), 26631 Private B. Steel (Killed in Action), 266669 Private P. Taylor (Wounded), 26665 Private W. Thomson (Killed in Action), 267897 Private F. Tomlinson (Wounded), 22934 Private G. Vowles (Wounded), 24419 Private J. J. Warren (Missing), 268324 Private L. Waterworth (Missing), 266934 Private J. E. Whittaker (Wounded), 267833 Private W. Wilcock (Wounded), 267551 Private I. Wilshaw (Wounded), 202959 Private J. A. Wilson (Wounded), 305454 Private J. W. Wilson (Wounded).

11th Apr 1918 In Action

11th Apr 1918 Rearguard Action

12th Apr 1918 Establishing a Line  Breakfast was served at about 8am by two cookies and situation seemed very quiet. At 0945am. orders were received to push out a patrol to AC arc and A2d (map references) to verify presence of enemy in strength at Blanc Maison and to clear up the the situation, which was very obscure, and to report what troops of ours were in the vicinity. 2nd. Lieutenant Thackery and 15 O. R.'s including Corporals Gibson and Green went off and reported that various parties, under officers, were withdrawing. The patrol arrived back near the position of our bivouacs at about 11.45am. and reported that the enemy could be seen at about A14a (map reference) and that we held the cemetery in A7b (map reference) but that our defences and outpost line were practically non-existent.
At about 12.15pm orders were received to establish on the Becque de la Flanche (thought to be a stream). 'B' Company remained in reserve and the other three companies were sent off to establish the above line. 'A' Company was on the right, 'C' Company was in the centre and 'D' Company was on the left. Eventually, some tome later, 'A' Company established their right post just astride the railway on S25c, Sheet 28 (map reference)about 800 yards west of Bailleul Station and got in touch with the troops on their right. 'C' Company, on the left, and 'D' Company were in touch with the 16th. Royal Scots. There was a small party of 11th. Suffolks under an officer between 'C' and 'D' Companies. Our 7th. Battalion (1/7th. D. of W.) were also a little mixed up with 'D' Company. Roughly, the line of the Becque was established and dug in during the night. During the early afternoon of the 12th., Captain Ogston was seriously wounded in the thigh by a machine gun bullet. Throughout the afternoon of the 12th., the line was continually shelled and trench mortar & heavy machine gun fire was put down on it; it was particularly intense on the left.
Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were Major S. C. Brierly (Wounded at Duty), Captain K. Ogston (Wounded & died of wound), 2nd. Lt. H. Armitage (Wounded), 2nd. Lt. J. W. Probyn (Killed in Action), 2nd. Lt. J. H. Sunderland (Wounded)Sergeant T. D. Eagles (Wounded), 265395 Sergeant G. Harding (Killed in Action), 265883 Corporal W. Emmott (Wounded), 265576 Corporal J. Hogan (Wounded), 265267 Corporal G. Page (Killed in Action), 235503 Corporal W. Severs (Killed in Action), 265932 Lance Corporal W. H. Best (Wounded at Duty), 17038 Lance Corporal R. Piggott (Wounded), 267567 Lance Corporal W. E. Robertshaw (Wounded), 242825 Private S. Baker (Wounded), 267437 Private H. Briggs (Killed in Action), 303003 Private J. T. Britt (Wounded), 300159 Private M. Brown (Killed in Action), 17915 Private T. Caine (Wounded), 15580 Private R. H. Coleman (Wounded), 265717 Private J. E. Core (Wounded), 268074 Private N. F. Fletcher (Killed in Action), 267785 Private A. Garnett (Wounded), 17033 Private W. Grant (Wounded), 26566 Private H. Haigh (Wounded), 265746 Private J. Hayhurst (Wounded), 267863 Private G. Hill (Wounded & died of wounds 14/04/1918), 267549 Private F. Holmes (Wounded), 24125 Private J. Kennedy (Wounded), 41165 Private H. Leonard (Wounded), 41161 Private W. R. Lewis (Missing), 242621 Private H. Loyndes (Killed in Action), 242622 Private A. Lund (Killed in Action), 41176 Private T. W. Marriot (Wounded), 41175 Private S. Marsh (Wounded), 41177 Private H. May (Wounded), 14895 Private A. V. Nalson (Wounded at Duty), 41187 Private A. V. Nicholls (Killed in Action), 267474 Private A. Pearson (Wounded), 41191 Private T. Purshouse (Killed in Action), 267883 Private C. Puttergill (Wounded), 267922 Private C. J. Rooney (Wounded), 265483 Private J. Scott (Wounded), 242814 Private G. H. Smith (Killed in Action), 29889 Private H. Stead (Wounded), 26147 Private T. Stordy (Wounded), 242835 Private A. Sugden (Wounded), 41178 Private A. A. Taylor (Wounded and missing), 41151 Private J. Thorneycroft (Wounded), 240786 Private W. H. Thornton (Wounded), 267832 Private C. Threadgale (Killed in Action), 267431 Private N. Thwaites (Wounded), 242751 Private C. R. Weddle (?) (Wounded), 12695 Private L. Whitehead (Wounded).

12th Apr 1918 Line Holding

13th Apr 1918 Enemy Attacks  The early morning of the 13th. was very quiet. Rations were delivered to the companies of the 6th West Riding Regt by 4.30am. and the C. O. and the Intelligence Officer went round the lines at about 5am. and found everything in good order and the line well s....ted. It was found that in the readjustment of the line during the night of 12th./ 13th. 'B' Company was in support to 'A' Company and a little behind was their left flank. At about 3pm., the enemy commenced shelling the line and also roads and farms in the rear.
The enemy attacked on 7th. D. of W.'s front and also on the 16th. Royal Scots on their left and further to their left again. The enemy was also active on our right about the railway but any contemplated attack was dispersed by rifle and Lewis gun fire, The troops on the battalion's left gave ground and 'D' Company were left with their flank in the air. The Bosche approached to within 100/ 150 yards and suffered very heavy casualties from 'D' Company's rifle and Lewis gun fire. They were held up for some considerable time. Eventually, the enemy worked round both flanks of 'D' Company and forced them to withdraw. It is certain that 'D' Company killed a very large number of the enemy and themselves suffered severe casualties. Sergeant Berry and Sergeant Harding were killed and 2nd. Lieutenant Armitage and 2nd. Lieutenant Sunderland were wounded. [NB. Both these officers, on the casualty list compiled on 21/05/1918 which I have used, are shown as wounded on 12/04/1918).
'B' Company were sent up to reinforce the troops in front and, in spite of heavy machine gun fire, they pushed into a forward position and assisted to hold up the enemy, who had made an advance of about 500 yards. After this, our line remained firm and, at about 9.45pm., orders were received to withdraw in accordance with attached. This withdrawal was carried out without incident and the line was duly established. [NB. No details of where this new line was have survived but the battalion H. Q. was established at Bailleul].
Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were Major G. Tanner (Wounded at Duty), Lieutenant A. C. Stalman (Wounded), 2nd. Lt. F. V. Mellors (Wounded at Duty), 265485 Sergeant J. Bury (Killed in Action), 265069 Sergeant A. Davis (Missing, but since rejoined)266754 Lance Sergeant A. Gregson (Wounded), 266537 Corporal J. W. Tillottson (Killed in Action), 265139 Private J. Appleby (Wounded), 20385 Private J. Armitage (n. Y. D. N.), 241737 Private W. L. Beeson (Wounded), 242760 Private H. Bennett (Missing), 203417 Private F. Burls (Wounded), 24302 Private C. Cahalin (Wounded), 267445 Private R. V. Casson (Killed in Action),23871 Private J. W. Carter (Killed in Action), 242030 Private J. Charlesworth (Wounded), 11883 Private C. Connel (Missing), 267912 Private R. Cooper (Wounded), 25503 Private W. Craig (Wounded), 11299 Private W. Crossland (Wounded), 267396 Private A. Crossley (Wounded), 17017 Private W. Dempsie (Wounded), 267522 Private W. Denby (Wounded), 242604 Private H. Ellison (Wounded), 265238 Private F. Gee (Wounded), 267539 Private A. Gill (Wounded), 23888 Private W. Greenwood (Wounded), 26674 Private A. Griffin (Missing), 242755 Private J. Gunningham (Wounded), 266339 Private T. Hargreaves (Wounded), 268279 Private E. Hawkesby (Killed in Action0, 29375 Private F. Haywood (Wounded & died of wounds 14/04/1918), 267592 Private I. Hillary (Wounded), 12170 Private F. Jowett (Wounded), 242520 Private H. Maddeys (Missing), 24208 Private H. Mounsey (Killed in Action), 14895 Private A. V. Nalson (Missing), 25146 Private H. Roundstein (Missing), 267921 Private J. C. Rymer (Killed in Action), 41204 Private A. L. Shaw (Wounded), 242213 Private J. M. Smith (Missing), 26622 Private W. Stephenson (Missing), 29807 Private J. W. Stringer (Wounded at Duty), 267588 Private A. Thornton (Wounded), 24357 Private F. Wall (Wounded), 11671 Private C. H. Walton (Wounded), 41209 Private T. H. Watkins (Wounded), 265619 Private W. Watson (Wounded), 24165 Private H. Westfield (Wounded), 31742 Private H. Wilkinson (Wounded), 300139 Private A. Wood (Killed in Action).

13th Apr 1918 Line Holding

14th Apr 1918 Advance Stopped  The early morning was quiet and all the men were in good form, although tired. As the day proceeded, the enemy became rather more active and shelled heavily in the afternoon.
At about (time left blank) it became evident that the enemy was again active on our right and a party of Bosche was seen from 6th Duke of Wellington Battalion's H. Q. to be through our line and only about 400/ 500 yards away from our H. Q. All H. Q. details, under Lieutenant Stewart and Regimental Sergeant Major Richardson were put into position with a view to filling the gap until assistance arrived. They opened rapid fire on the enemy, inflicted casualties and undoubtedly stopped the enemy's advance until a platoon of 'C' Company and a company of the 1/7th. D. of W. and 1/4th. D. of. W. arrived on the scene, when the H. Q. party was withdrawn. Casualties to H. Q. details numbered about 5 wounded by rifle and machine gun fire.
The situation then quietened down and Battalion H. Q. was withdrawn about 300 yards back into a cellar. (NB. This entry in the War Diary is the only one available for 14/04/1918 and it seems unlikely that what the rest of the 1/6th. were doing on this day was ever recorded].
Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were 265626 Sergeant F. Cryer (Wounded), 303011 Sergeant F. Nicholson (Wounded), 266634 Sergeant A. Taylor (Killed in Action), 14703 Lance Sergeant J. W. Russell (Wounded), 203745 Corporal T. Howard (Killed in Action), 31778 Private F. R. Ainley (Wounded), 23866 Private T. Alderson (Wounded), 267634 Private A. V. Austin (Wounded), 266563 Private H. Baldwin (Wounded), 265142 Private P. Baldwin (Wounded), 26715 Private K. Bartlett (Wounded), 241457 Private H. Beaumont (Wounded), 267015 Private H. A. Boocock (Wounded), 17003 Private J. Boyd (Wounded), 300160 Private S. S. Buffett (Wounded), 265647 Private J. T. Cardus (Wounded), 266920 Private M. Chapman (Wounded), 242636 Private W. Charlesworth (Killed in Action), 267554 Private W. W. Cooper (Killed in Action), 267496 Private A. Crook (Wounded), 203239 Private E. Davison (Wounded and missing), 265986 Private J. W. Emmott (Wounded), 267505 Private F. E. Gaukrodger (Wounded), 240648 Private J. Haigh (Wounded), 267512 Private G. Harker (Wounded), 265387 Private A. Higgins (Wounded), 266726 Private J. W. Hilton (Killed in Action), 267868 Private F. Holden (Wounded), 26569 Private A. Jackson (Wounded), 18185 Private D. Kellett (Wounded), 303006 Private G. Lamb (Killed in Action), 266851 Private J. A. Leach (Wounded), 267829 Private J. Littlewood (Wounded), 268156 Private J. Lockwood (Killed in Action), 266803 Private F. W. Major (Wounded), 267962 Private M. Maloney (Wounded), 266562 Private P. McCann (Wounded), 265290 Private D. McFarland (Wounded), 267884 Private H O'Melia (Wounded & died of wounds 23/04/1918), 267426 Private P. Phillips (Wounded), 265009 Private C. W. Ralph (Wounded), 267888 Private A. Rothery (Wounded), 267734 Private W. Smith (Wounded), 267895 Private W. G. Smith (Killed in Action), 267924 Private C. Stenton (Killed in Action), 268426 Private F. G. Sunderland (Wounded), 41179 Private J. Taylor (Killed in Action), 41138 Private O. Taylor (Wounded), 266199 Private H. Waddington (Wounded), 29943 Private H. Wails (Killed in Action), 26657 Private S. R. Walton (Wounded and missing), 300135 Private C. Ward (Wounded), 266536 Private G. R. Watson (Wounded), 26653 Private H. Westridge (Wounded), 29894 Private W. Whitwam (Wounded), 242412 Private F. Wilkinson (Wounded).

15th Apr 1918 Relief  The 6th Battalion West Riding Regt was relieved in the early morning, at 4am., by two companies of the 5th. North Staffs. On relief, the battalion proceeded to the vicinity of a farm near St. Hans Cappel (map reference S1d, sheet 28) where breakfasts were served and the men cleaned their rifles and Lewis guns and rested.
At 6am. orders were received that, in case of emergency, the battalion would hold a reserve line (not yet dug) just in front of the road in map reference S1d. From 11am., the battalion was placed in the 9th. Corps reserve. At about 5pm., it became very evident that it was necessary to dig the aforementioned reserve line with all speed as the enemy was reported to be attacking from Bailleul to Crucifix Corner (map reference S16b). Tools were got up and the line was dug and manned. The situation remained quiet. At about 7.45am, our troops that had relieved us the previous night (and others) were seen withdrawing from south of Bailleul. Much confusion was caused by the bad state of their morale and to the fact that they crowded into our trenches and did not appear to have the slightest organisation. At about 11pm., orders were received to send all the 176th. Brigade men back to Locre and, as soon as the line was cleared, work proceeded again. Patrols were pushed out with a view to gaining early news of the enemy's presence.
Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were 265432 Private P. N. Blenkarn (Missing), 266421 Private J. McBurnie (Missing), 203023 Private S. Ramsden (Killed in Action), 267891 Private S. M. Smith (Wounded).

16th Apr 1918 Enemy Active  During the morning, the enemy registered our line with trench mortars and field guns and there was considerable machine gun fire from both sides; there was also enemy movement in small parties. Our artillery gave considerable support and, when the enemy were seen collecting, they put down a very satisfactory shoot (i. e. barrage). At about 4pm., the enemy showed great activity with his trench mortars and field guns and, shortly afterwards, attacked opposite the right of 'A' Company, 6th West Riding Regiment The attack was completely repulsed and a certain amount of the success was due to prompt so-operation with the Stokes mortar battery. Patrols were at once sent out to pick up prisoners. These patrols were very successful and brought in two light machine guns and 16 prisoners, several of whom were wounded. The night passed fairly quietly and a good lot of wire was put out.
Casualties on this day were 265273 Sergeant E. Johnson (Wounded), 12932 Private Aldridge (Killed in Action), 265990 Private J. Beckwith (Wounded accidentally),266505 Private J. Bibby (Wounded), 31683 Private W. E. Bilton (Wounded), 240551 Private J. M. Buckley 9Wounded), 240290 Private J. Burns (Wounded), 265625 Private H. R. Craven (Wounded), 267399 Private F. Dunn (Wounded), 25511 Private A. J. Haigh (Killed in Action), 25516 Private W. Leah (Wounded), 266018 Private L. Parker (Wounded), 23932 Private L. Shepherd (Wounded), 266344 Private T. W. Smith (Wounded), 265708 Private J. R. Whittaker (Wounded), 202226 Private W. Woor (Wounded).

16th Apr 1918 In Action

16th Apr 1918 Attacks Made

17th Apr 1918 Considerable Shelling  There was considerable shelling all over the area and in St. Jans Cappell. Congratulatory messages were received from Corps and Divisional Commanders by 6th West Riding Rgt. More wire was put out during the night.
Casualties of 6th West Riding Rgt on this day were 2nd. Lt. J. M. Hick (Killed in Action), 265527 Lance Sergeant J. Calvert (Wounded at Duty), 31811 Private H. Broadbent (Wounded), 242483 Private W. D. Cole (Killed in Action),25515 Private S. Frost (Wounded), 266928 Private M. Hogg (Wounded), 41181 Private C. F. May (Wounded), 200207 Private G. S. Seed (Wounded), 21182 Private H. Smith (Wounded), 203872 Private L. F. Smith (Wounded at Duty), 240827 Private E. B. Timmins (Wounded), 265618 Private H. Walker (Wounded).

17th Apr 1918 Attacks Made

18th Apr 1918 More Shelling  There was general shelling of the area. At midnight the 6th Battalion, West Riding Regt was relieved by the 18th. Kings Liverpool Regiment, 99th. Brigade, 30th. Division and, on relief, withdrew to the Army line at about map reference R29c & d, sheet 27.
Casualties of 6th West Riding on this day, including those that happened between 11/04/1918 and 18/04/1918 which had not been recorded, were 265113 Sergeant H. Driver (Wounded, between 11th & 18th.), 265552 Private J. Cobrey (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 268239 Private W. Hartley (Killed in Action), 266049 Private J. Ireland (Wounded, between 11th & 18th.), 26691 Private R. Lizerbram (Wounded), 10527 Private L. McDonald (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 266760 Private G. J. Raper (Wounded between 11th. & 18th.), 305335 Private J. Riley (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 41195 Private C. Rigg (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 41194 Private W. H. Robinson (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 268542 Private J. A. Smith (Wounded), 266458 Private J. M. Spencer (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 267750 Private J. T. Tate (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.).

18th Apr 1918 Attacks Made

18th Apr 1918 Digging in

18th of April 1918 Orders and a Message

19th Apr 1918 Quiet Day  A quiet day was spent by the 6th West Riding Regt in the Army line. At midnight the battalion withdrew to the vicinity of map reference R24c, sheet 27, just west of Mont Noir. The only casualty on this day was 266657 Private F. Nicholas (Wounded).

19th Apr 1918 Snow

19th Apr 1918 Reliefs

19th Apr 1918 Holding the Line

20th Apr 1918 Quiet Day  6th Btn, West Riding Regiment report: A quiet day with everyone resting. There were no casualties.

20th Apr 1918 In Support

21st Apr 1918 To Camp  At 4am., the 6th battalion West Riding Regt was withdrawn to N. Z. Reinforcement Camp. On arrival, breakfasts were and afterwards everyone rested. At 4pm., the battalion marched to Poperinghe and were settled in good billets by 6pm. There were no casualties.

22nd Apr 1918   The morning was spent in cleaning up and all the men of the 6th West Riding Resgt were bathed during the morning and afternoon. There were no casualties.

23rd Apr 1918 Cleaning up  Cleaning up continued and general training was carried near the billets by 6th West Riding Regiment The only casualty was 265750 Private F. J. Kaye (Killed accidentally).

24th Apr 1918 Gas Bombs  6th Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment engaged in Company and Specialist training in the vicinity of the billets. During the night, many bombs were dropped by hostile planes and the enemy shelled the town of Poperinghe, at intervals. One gas bomb fell on the Quartermaster's stores, slightly wounding one man. Several others, however, suffered rather badly from the effects of the gas. The only recorded casualty was 266658 Private R. Holdsworth (Wounded).

25th Apr 1918 Shelling Continues  The enemy continued the shelling of Poperinghe during the morning and, at 9am., a shell fell in the stables, killing two grooms and severely wounding five others. Two horses were hit and had to be destroyed. Orders were received at 10.15am by the 6th West Ridings to move to Ouderdum, where the Brigade would be placed at the disposal ox IX Division. The Battalion embussed on the Poperinghe to Busseboom road and reached Ouderdum at about 12.15pm.
On arrival, orders were received for the 1/7th. D. of W. Battalion and ourselves to form a defensive flank on the line of Milky Way and to establish connection between the left of the French troops at Millekruise crosswords and the right of Cheapsie Line at Beaver Corner. The battalion moved off by platoons to Millekruise crossroads to take up positions but orders were received about 3pm. for our line to run from the French left flank at approximately N7d 4.4 to N8d 4.5 (map references). The 1/7th West Riding Battalion was establishing a line from that point to map reference N15b 0.5. 'A' and 'B' Companies immediately set to work and dug in on this line in support of the Black Watch and the French, with 'C' Company in support at map reference N8a 7.8 'D' Company was kept in battalion reserve at map reference N1b 3.3.
At 6.10pm, further orders were received to take over the line occupied by the 4th. Royal Scots (27th. Brigade) and the 8th. Black Watch (26th. Brigade) from N7d 6.6 to N8b 0.2 (map references). This was carried out by 'A' and 'B' Companies, 'C' and 'D' Companies 6th West Ridings in their original positions.
Word was received at 8.40pm that the Royal Flying Corp had established that French troops were on Kemmel Hill and in Kemmel village. Lieutenant Spencer was sent to get in touch with the French H. Q. at La Clytte but the French authorities could not confirm this report, stating that the nearest French troops were those with whom 'A' Company were in touch on the right.
Casualties of 6th Btn D of W West Riding Regt on this day were 2nd. Lt. G. F. Swaby (Missing), 265234 Acting Lance Sergeant W. Laycock (Wounded), 265236 Private W. Birkby (Wounded), 265480 Private A. Dinsdale (Killed in Action), 265509 Private G. Docksey (Wounded), 265130 Private J. H. Hey (Wounded), 265421 Private H. Leaf (Wounded), 265040 Private W. Moore (Wounded), 265208 Private H. Stansfield (Missing), 265409 Private F. Wardman (Killed in Action).

26th Apr 1918 Counter Attack  At 3am., the 25th. Division and the French on the right of 6th Btn West Riding Regt carried out a counter-attack opposite Kemmell Hill and village and the 1/4th Battalion D of W West Ridings advanced to the forward line in conjunction with this. Owing to the heavy enemy barrage, the French did not get forward and the troops of the 25th. Division and 1/4th. D. of W. Battalion were withdrawn. Some prisoners were taken.
The day passed fairly quietly and wiring was pushed on with during the night. 2nd. Lieutenant Swaby was in charge of a carrying party and inadvertently led his party in front of our line. To ascertain his position, he went forward with his orderly and several shots were heard by the party. Although patrols were sent out, no trace of either 2nd. Lieutenant Swaby or his runner was found (NB. These casualties are actually listed as being on the 25th. by the casualty list printed in May 1918; it is not known which is correct).
Casualties for 6th West Ridings on this day were 265572 Corporal E. Rimmer (Wounded), 242607 Private T. Foster (Wounded), 41152 Private C. Ingram (Killed in Action), 41167 Private J. E. Laing (Wounded), 41203 Private R. Shippey (Wounded at duty).

27th Apr 1918 Readjustment of the Line  A readjustment of the line was made, with the 7th. Brigade taking over 'A' Company, 6th D. of W. West Riding Regt's front from about map reference N7b 8.5, with 'A' Company, on relief, taking over right company front of the 1/7th. D. of W. Battalion on east of Milky Way with the left post on map reference N8d 9.7. 'B' Company 6th D. of W. West Riding Regt held the front as formerly but were reinforced by a platoon of 'C' Company 6th Btn on the left with three sections in line and two sections in support. 'D' Company 6th D of W was moved forward to support line on right of Milky Way.
Casualties on this day for 6th D. of W. West Riding Regt were 235504 Sergeant R. Durkin (Killed in Action), 267885 Corporal E. Hird (Killed in Action), 263008 Private W. Blundell (Wounded), 267848 Private T. Clarke (Wounded), 266454 Private E. Howarth (Wounded), 265824 Private W. Johnston (Wounded), 26588 Private L. Middleton (Wounded), 17051 Private A. Murray (Wounded), 265376 Private E. Preston (Wounded), 29918 Private S. Rhodes (Killed in Action), 267756 Private W. Smith (Wounded), 241884 Private R. Welsh (Killed in Action), 267841 Private C. W. Wood (Wounded).

28th Apr 1918 Heavy Bomardment  It was quiet all day. At about 7.30pm., the front line was very heavily bombarded from La Clytte to Ypres; the bombardment lasted for about two hours. There was no infantry attack and our casualties were light. 6th D. of W. West Riding Regt Battalion H. Q. was established in a dug-out at map reference N2c 0.3.
Casualties on this day for 6th D. of W. West Riding Regt were 265692 Corporal W. R. Armstrong (Wounded), 265003 Lance Corporal J. Churchman (Wounded), 25498 Private N. Bateson (Wounded), 266925 Private C. Dove (Killed in Action), 266241 Private A. Jones (Wounded), 268523 Private J. Lawson (Killed in Action), 23301 Private J. H. Smith (Wounded), 29905 Private M. Thompson (Killed in Action), 204590 Private A. Wilson (Killed in Action).

29th Apr 1918 Terrific Bombardment  At 3am., the enemy opened a terrific bombardment on the front line and back areas. The bombardment on the front line was continued until 7am., when the enemy attacked in great force along the whole front of the 25th., 49th. and 21st. Divisions. Everywhere he was completely repulsed and enormous casualties inflicted on him. The bombardment of the back areas continued until almost 10am. and was of great intensity, many gas shells being used.
Captain B. G. Buxton MC, 6th D of W West Riding Regt was wounded, but battalion casualties altogether were exceptionally light. The remainder of the day was comparatively quiet.
Casualties on this day for 6th D of W West Riding Regt were: Captain B. G. Buxton (Wounded), 265413 Company Sergeant Major T. W. Limmer (Wounded), 527782 Corporal C. H. Brown R. A. M. C. (Killed in Action), 266239 Corporal C. Horner (Killed in Action), 268056 Corporal E. Joynes (Killed in Action), 267889 Lance Corporal J. Smith (Wounded), 268398 Private S. Archer (Killed in Action), 205267 Private R. H. Armitage (Wounded), 267484 Private N. Birkenshaw (Wounded), 267485 Private A. Brannan (Wounded), 201878 Private H. Briggs (Wounded(, 266160 Private C. Brown (Wounded), 266840 Private J. T. Butterworth (Killed in Action), 267460 Private A. E. Cartwright (Wounded), 13713 Private J. Dinsdale (Wounded), 267981 Private H. French (Wounded), 300129 Private L. Gallon (Killed in Action), 242719 Private S. Garland (Wounded), 267864 Private W. Haigh (Wounded), 26144 Private R. A. Hallett (Wounded), 267516 Private W. R. Hirst (Wounded), 29958 Private M. Hodgson (Wounded), 24039 Private E. W. Hollis (Wounded), 26570 Private H. Jackson (Killed in Action), 267779 Private A. Lancaster (Wounded), 29444 Private J. H. Lunt (Wounded), 201488 Private W. Mitchell (Wounded), 10851 Private W. Pickersgill (Wounded), 265145 Private F. A. Pickles (Wounded), 265528 Private G. Proctor (Killed in Action), 41197 Private R. Riddell (Killed in Action), 242206 Private H. Robinson (Wounded), 29807 Private J. W. Stringer (Wounded), 41143 Private J. Teaster (Wounded), 24356 Private A. Walters (Wounded), 265114 Private W. Watson (Wounded).

30th Apr 1918 Counter attack  Word was received by 6th Btn D of W West Riding Regt at 2.45am. that the French 89th. Division on our right would counter-attack with a view to reaching Pompier Farm and that the 75th. Brigade would conform by occupying road at map reference N14a 5.0 to N14b 4.7, The 75th. Brigade reached their objective but were withdrawn owing to the French again failing to get forward.
At 7pm., particulars of an operation to be carried out by the 7th. Brigade and French Division were received, with orders for the 6th Battalion D of W to establish a line of posts from map references N14b 6.7 to N9c to connect up with 7th. Brigade on the right and 1/7th. D. of W. Battalion on the left.
Zero Hour was to be at 8pm. and therefore arrangements had to be hurriedly made. 'C' Company 6th D of W was detailed to carry out the operation with the Support platoon. This platoon moved forward with Lieutenant Willink and 2nd. Lieutenant Huffam at about 7.50pm. The barrage on the 7th. Brigade and French front brought considerable retaliation but the objective was reached with few casualties and the line was established. Touch could not, however, be got with the troops on the right and it was found that, although they had also reached their objectives, the French troops had failed to get forward and the troops of the 7th. Brigade had been withdrawn. Orders were therefore issued at about 10.45pm to 'C' Company 6th D of W to withdraw to their original position.
Casualties on this day for 6th D of W West Riding Regt were: 23930 Sergeant E. Stead (Killed in Action), 203848 Lance Sergeant H. Shaw (Killed in Action), 265178 Corporal W. Gibson (Killed in Action), 242252 Corporal J. W. Lewis (Killed in Action), 13120 Corporal L. S. Mitchell (Wounded), 266368 Lance Corporal H. Crossley (Wounded), 265237 Lance Corporal G. E. Hook (Wounded), 265226 Lance Corporal R. S. Long (Wounded), 266616 Private J. Fuller (Wounded), 29472 Private H. Garnett (Wounded), 242861 Private S. Garnett (Wounded), 267507 Private J. E. Glenton (Wounded at Duty), 26547 Private E. T. Grisdale (Killed in Action), 265701 Private T. Hackston (Killed in Action), 267541 Private W. Haigh (Killed in Action), 26555 Private H. Hainsworth (Wounded at Duty), 31739 Private A. Hallsor (Wounded), 41157 Private W. B. Kent (Wounded), 266742 Private J. H. McCarthy (Wounded), 267580 Private H. Pickles (Killed in Action), 13727 Private J. Tuddenham (Killed in Action)267593 Private A. Whiteley (Wounded), 26654 Private H. Wilks (Wounded at Duty).

30th of April 1918 Reliefs and Attacks

30th of April 1918 Reports

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Want to know more about 6th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment?

There are:5345 items tagged 6th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment 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
6th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Barrett William. Pte. (d.18th Mar 1918)
Brown DCM John James. Sgt. (d.31st Mar 1918)
Bury DCM MM MID. James. Sgt. (d.13th Apr 1918)
Clarkson Leonard. Sgt. (d.26th July 1916)
Downs Harry. Pte. (d.3rd Mar 1917)
Fogg George William. Pte. (d.11th Oct 1918)
Lomas John Thomas. Cpl. (d.19th Oct 1915)
Monk Thomas. L/Cpl. (d.15th Sep 1916)
Partridge MM. Heber William Henry. Sgt.
Rodgers Richard. L/Cpl (d.14th Oct 1917)
Russell John William. L/Sgt. (d.7th May 1918)
Smith Herbert. Pte.
Smith Wilfred. Pte. (d.30th Apr 1918)
Wilson Harry. Pte. (d.8th Jan 1919)
Wilson Harry. Pte. (d.6th Jan 1919)

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Records of 6th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment from other sources.

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Pte. Wilfred Smith 1/6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.30th Apr 1918)

Wilfred Smith was my grandma Lucy's brother and the son of William and Dorothy Smith of Bradford. He was wounded on 14th April 1918 and died 16 days later at the age of 20. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. I have the telegram and plaque given to my great-grandma upon his death. My grandma, who was 5 years old at the time, said that upon receiving the telegram, her mother collapsed with grief. Wilfred's cousin was also killed in the Great War.
Elizabeth Kitchingman-Ward

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Pte. Harry Wilson 6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment) (d.6th Jan 1919)

Harry Wilson was born in Bradford in January 1880 to parents, Tom and Maggie Wilson. He joined the Army in 1900 and fought in South Africa. He rejoined the Army and fought in World War I. He died on 6th of Jan 1919 at Whitchurch Military Hospital in Cardiff. He is buried at Bowling Cemetery in Bradford.
Evonne Randall

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L/Cpl Richard Rodgers 1/6th Btn. C Coy. Duke of Wellingtons Regiment (d.14th Oct 1917)

Richard Rodgers died of wounds inflicted to both arms during fighting on the 9th of October 1917. His grave can be found at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.
Janet Hancock

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Pte. William Barrett 1/6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regt. (d.18th Mar 1918)

William Barrett was serve with 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment when he lost his life.
Malc Way

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L/Cpl. Thomas Monk 1st/6th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

Thomas Monk was born in Settle in 1897 to his parents Thomas and Lavinia Monk. He continued to live in Settle until he went overseas. At the age of 13 he worked as a Quarryman at the Delaney Horton Limestone works close by. In May 1913 he joined the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment (a Territorial Battalion). He served with them through to 1915 when in April he and his Battalion crossed to France as part of the 147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade within the 49th (West Riding) Division.
He served through the Battles of Aubers Ridge in May 1915 as well as the Defence against the Phosgene Attack on 19th/20th December 1915. He was injured (gassed) during this attack and was taken to No.12 CCS at Hazebrouck and then on to the St. John Ambulance Base Hospital at Etaples. From there he was returned to a hospital in the U.K. Before he returned to France in June 1916 he married a young lady named Lilly Watson at Settle.
He returned to his Battalion at Forceville. From there the Battalion moved up to the Front near Authuille to the Support Trenches arriving in the early hours of July 1st. The Battalion did not participate in the first days fighting but took part in the subsequent Battle of Albert, Battle of Bazentin Ridge and Battle of Flers - Courcelette. On 14th September the Battalion was called to the Front lines near Leipzig Salient to relieve the 32nd Infantry Brigade. Just as the relief started the Germans made a bombing attack on the line. D Company was sent in to reinforce the line but Thomas was killed by shrapnel just after 09.10 hours on the 15th. He is buried at Blight Valley CWGC Cemetery at Authuille Wood.
Tony McGarrigle

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L/Sgt. John William Russell 6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.7th May 1918)

Corporal John Russell, of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who lived at 12 Cook Street, Skipton, whose father was John William Russell (deceased) and who had been a boatman, married Dorcas Isobel Amy Gray, who lived at Devonshire, House, West Grove, Hersham, Surrey, whose father was William Day(deceased)and who had been a gardener. The marriage was carried out in Hersham Parish Church and the witnesses were members of the bride's family. John William Russell is listed as a 29 year old bachelor but his birth certificate, seen by me, reveals his age to have actually been 31. Dorcas Isobal Amy Gray nee Day is listed as a 22 year old widow. Her first husband was Walter Edwin Gray, a private in the 9th. Battalion, East Surrey Regiment who had been killed at the Battle of Loos in 1915, and she had a son, Walter James Gray aged just over 3 years. No information has become available as to how and when the couple met but the date of the wedding was after the Battle of Poelcapelle and John William Russell was presumably on leave. There are no known children from this marriage.
Lance Sergeant Russell died in Farnham, Surrey, Military Hospital of wounds on the 7th of May from gunshot wounds to the chest & shoulder received in action 24 days earlier. He was buried in Skipton (Waltonwrays) cemetery on 11th of May 1918, where his grave is marked by a C.W.G.C. headstone. His widow, Dorcas Isobel Amy Russell, organised the burial and is presumed to have travelled from Surrey to Skipton with the coffin. This grave became a family grave, although only John William Russell's name appears, and his younger sister, Margaret Ann Dawson nee Russell, and his aunt, Margaret Smith nee Birtle, also lie here.
David Larkin

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Cpl. John Thomas Lomas 6th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.19th Oct 1915)

John Lomas was killed in action and was laid to rest at Talana Farm Cemetary, Ypres.
Steve Claydon

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Pte. Herbert Smith 6th Battalion West Riding Regiment

Herbert Smith joined 6th Territorial Force Battalion, Duke of Wellingtonâ€™s West Riding Regiment at Keighley on 25th of January 1912. He arrived with the BEF in France on 14th of April 1915 and served on the Western Front with the West Riding Regiment until 8th of April 1917. Herbert transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 5 July 1917 and was transferred to the Royal Air Force on its formation on 1 April 1918. He was demobilised and transferred to RAF Reserve on 27th of March 1919.

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Sgt. James Bury DCM MM MID. 1/6th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (d.13th Apr 1918)

James Bury served with the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment and was killed in action on the 13th April 1918, aged 32. Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Bury, of 8, Victoria Rd., Barnoldswick, Yorks.
S Flynn

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Pte. George William "Sonny" Fogg 1st/6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.11th Oct 1918)

I grew up with the story of Uncle Sonny who had gone off to fight in the war and had never come back. He gave his mother a small, gold and sapphire ring to ease their parting. I have his ring now - it has been passed through the family as has his story. My grandmother didn't know what had happened to her brother, and where, or if, he was buried, only that he had been lost, killed in a battle somewhere in France. I spent many hours looking for him with little to go on, only the assumption that his name must have been George - the same as his father, hence the "Sonny" nickname. When I found Sonny's service record I was so excited that I didn't even notice the "Killed 11/10/18" scrawled across it in chinagraph pencil. Having this information, I was able to track him through the War Graves Commission. My first visit to his grave in Wellington Cemetery Rieux en Cambresis was one of the most moving moments of my life. I am so happy to have found him, only sad that it was too late for my Grandmother to know, but time enough for me to share his story with my own children. It is a comfort to us all to know that his sacrifice is recognised and that he is remembered in such a beautiful and peaceful place. He will be remembered in our hearts too.
34137 Private George William (Sonny) Fogg served with the 1st/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment during WW1 and died age 20, on the 11th October 1918. He is buried in Wellington Cemetery Rieux en Cambresis. He was the son of George James and Harriet Eliza Fogg, of 22, Fellows St., Haggerston, London.
Tracey Murphy

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Sgt. John James Brown DCM 1st/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.31st Mar 1918)

John James Brown DCM. served with the1st/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) he was aged 29 when he died on 31st March 1918. He was born in Jarrow and enlisted in Skipton Yorks. John is buried in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery.
Vin Mullen

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Sgt. Heber William Henry Partridge MM. 1/6th Bn. West Riding Regiment

26616 Sgt Heber William Henry MM enlisted in the 16th Battalion, The West Riding Regiment and served throughout World War 1. His unit was raised in Halifax as Part of the 2nd West Riding Brigade, West Riding Division. It moved, on mobilisation, to coastal defences near Hull and Grimsby. It was then relocated on 5 November 1914 in billets at Doncaster.
The unit landed at Boulogne, France on the 14th April 1915. On the 15th May 1915 it became 147 Brigade in the 49th (West Riding) Division. His Battalion fought with 147 Brigade at the Somme, Paschendale and many other WW1 locations.
His home address was in Keighley, West Riding, Yorkshire. He was born about 1879 and in the 1911 census is shown as head of family with his wife Minnie and 5 children. His occupation is given as Wood Sawyer. He died in 1957 aged 78.
Annette Smales

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