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13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment
The 13th (Wirral) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised at Port Sunlight on 1st of September 1914 by Gershom Stewart, MP. They moved to Chester and joined 74th Brigade, 25th Division in Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division assembled in the area around Salisbury for training and the 13th Cheshires spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. The Division moved to Aldershot in May 1915 for final training. They proceeded to to France on the 25th of September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first major action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 16th of February the 13th Cheshires were disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to other units.
1st Sep 1914 Lever Brother's employees join up 500 men volunteered to join up with what would become the 13th Cheshires at the first meeting at Gladstone Hall, PortSunlight. All being employees at Lever Brothers soap factory.
By 7 th September 1914 700 employees had joined
( All original members had W prefixes to their service number)
5th Oct 1914 On the Move
Jan 1915 On the Move
28th May 1915 On the March
29th May 1915 On the March
30th May 1915 On the March
24th Sep 1915 Advance Party
25th Sep 1915 On the Move
26th Sep 1915 At Rest
27th Sep 1915 On the Move
28th September 1915 Instruction
28th of September 1915 Orders
28th September 1915 Ammunition
28th Sep 1915 On the Move 
29th September 1915
29th Sep 1915 In Billets
30th of September 1915 Reorganisation
30th September 1915 Orders
30th Sep 1915 Instruction
2nd of October 1915 Orders
2nd October 1915 Orders
3rd of October 1915 Orders
3rd Oct 1915 Reliefs
4th Oct 1915 Quiet
4th of October 1915 In the Trenches
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
9th of February 1916 2nd Army Inspection
23rd of February 1916 On the March
25th of February 1916 Training and Snow
6th of March 1916 Marching
10th of March 1916 On the March
12th of March 1916 On the March
27th of April 1916 Enemy Snipers Active
28th of April 1916 Enemy Mine Blown
9th of May 1916 Relief Complete
16th of May 1916 Heavy Bombardment
17th May 1916 Operational Order No.79. Schedule
17th May 1916 Operational Order No.79.
18th May 1916 Reliefs
25th of May 1916 Inspection
5th Jul 1916 13th Cheshires march to La Boiselle 13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment march from Bouzincourt to La Boiselle on Wednesday 5th July.
6th Jul 1916 13th Cheshires in trenches at La Boiselle Thursday 6th July the 13th Cheshires occupy trenches at La Boiselle which they consolidated and held. Several personnel injured, non killed.
7th of July 1916 In the Trenches
7th Jul 1916 13th Cheshires attack at La Boiselle At La Boiselle on 7th of July, 13th Cheshires went over the parapet at 8.05am. After suffering severe casualties they reached their objective and consolidated. A number of prisoners and war material fell into their hands. Casualties on the day are very heavy, 18 officers and 243 other ranks.
8th of July 1916 Consolidation
1st Aug 1916 Shrapnel
3rd August 1916 QM Stores
4th August 1916 Trench Work
5th August 1916 Reliefs
6th August 1916 In Billets
7th Aug 1916 Shelling
8th August 1916 Shelling
9th August 1916 Reliefs
10th August 1916 Training
11th August 1916 Sports
12th August 1916 Sports
13th August 1916 Church Parade
14th August 1916 On the March
17th August 1916 Training
18th August 1916 On the March
19th August 1916 Reliefs
20th August 1916 Shelling
21st Aug 1916 Shelling
22nd August 1916 Artillery Active
23rd August 1916 Enemy Aircraft
24th Aug 1916 Artillery in Action
25th August 1916 Heavy Bombardment
26th August 1916 Reliefs
27th August 1916 At Rest
28th Aug 1916 In Reserve
29th August 1916 Salvage
30th August 1916 Working Parties
31st August 1916 Working Parties
6th of October 1916 Operation Orders Received
10th of October 1916 Front Line Relieved
13th of October 1916 New 2/CO
7th of November 1916 A Relief
11th of November 1916 Relieved
3rd Sep 1917 Standing by
21st of May 1917 Fatigues
7th of June 1917 Attack Launched
9th of June 1917 On the Move
11th of June 1917 Into Bivouacs
2nd Aug 1917 Message of Congratulation
8th Aug 1917 Preparations
9th Aug 1917 Reliefs
20th of August 1917 On the March
30th Aug 1917 Training & Sports
1st Sep 1917 On the March
2nd Sep 1917 On the March
4th of September 1917 Quiet Day
6th of September 1917 Heavy Barrage
17th of November 1917 Reliefs
23rd of November 1917 Reliefs
30th of November 1917 Reliefs
13th of December 1917 Reliefs
19th of December 1917 Reliefs
23rd of December 1917 Reliefs
27th of December 1917 Reliefs
31st of December 1917 Baths
4th of January 1918 In Front Line
8th of January 1918 Reliefs
12th of January 1918 On the March
17th of January 1918 Reliefs
22nd of January 1918 Reliefs
5th Feb 1918 Reorganisation
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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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 with13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918. - Baugh Denis Edward. Pte. (d.10th October 1917)
- Brown William. Pte. (d.9th August 1917)
- Chadwick Samuel. Pte. (d.10th Jun 1917)
- Daly William Alfred. Pte. (d.16th July 1916)
- Edwards Alfred. Pte. (d.9th Nov 1917)
- Fairclough MM. Horace Chadwick. Pte.
- Fox DCM Ernest. Pte.
- Greaves James. Pte. (d.7th July 1916)
- Hall Fredrick Granger. Capt (d.7th July 1916)
- Heywood John. Pte. (d.7th June 1917)
- Maxwell Henry. Capt. (d.10th Oct 1916)
- McLelland Herbert Stanley.
- Morris John Henry. Sgt
- Mullock William. Pte. (d.8th Jan 1915)
- Murphy Thomas Patrick. Pte. (d.7th Jul 1916)
- Newby MM & bar. Richard. L/Cpl.
- Potter John. Pte. (d.7th Jul 1916)
- Redmond Peter. Pte. (d.5th August 1917)
- Silcock Percy Bryan. 2nd Lt. (d.11th Aug 1917)
- Sturdy Charles. Pte. (d.7th July 1916)
- Taylor John William. L/Cpl.
- Trickett Norman. Pte (d.7th July 1916)
- Ventress A. Pte. (d.10th August 1917)
- Whyte Bernard William. Pte.
- Wood Harry. Pte. (d.9th Aug 1917)
- Woodfin Joseph William. Pte. (d.7th June 1917)
All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please Add a Name to this List
Records of 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment from other sources.
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Pte. Ernest Fox DCM 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment  Ernest Fox DCM joined the Cheshire 17th Reserve Battalion on 20th September 1915 in Bebington, Wirral. He was sent overseas on 23rd June 1916 as part of BEF with 13th Cheshire Battalion (Lord Leverhulmes Wirral Battalion).
The 13th Cheshire's took part in the first battle of the Somme. The 13th suffered great losses at Ovillers- LaBoisselle on 7th July 1916. Ernest was transferred to 11th Cheshire Battalion on 13th July 1916 for a short time and then to the 15th Battalion (The Cheshire Bantams) on 16th August 1916 where he trained as a Lewis gunner. Ernest remained with the 15th Cheshire's and was awarded his DCM for his bravery and gallantry on 25th March 1918 at Clery Ridge (Maricourt area of the Somme) during the German spring offensive of 1918.
Ernest was wounded on 16th April 1918 in the town of Hedauville and eventually evacuated home to recover in hospital. He made a full recovery and returned to France in the late October of 1918. I was privileged to have Ernest as a Grandfather with many happy memories of this man who was a modest hero. Ernest sadly passed away in 1974.
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Herbert Stanley McLelland 13th Btn., 9th Platoon Cheshire Regiment My grandfather, Bert McLelland, served in the 9th Platoon of the 13th Cheshire Regiment.
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Sgt John Henry Morris 13th Btn Cheshire Regiment I have a photograph of soldiers in uniform at Codford camp, the words printed on it are: -
359 Codford 2
No 4 Co’s N.C.Os
Taken by J Geo Davies, New Ferry
Handwriting on reverse -
Segt Morris J H 2/123 13th Cheshire’s
Feel free to add to your records.
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Pte. Horace Chadwick Fairclough MM. 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment Horace Fairclough was my grandfather. I have his Military Medal and copies of the newspapers in which he is listed as being the recipient of the medal.
He was also gassed and became Home Guard during WW2 and I believe he died 1947
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Pte. Peter Redmond 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.5th August 1917) Peter Redmond was my paternal great uncle.
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L/Cpl. Richard Newby MM & bar. 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment  My grandfather Lance Corporal 24483 Richard Newby of the 13th Cheshire Regiment was twice awarded the Military Medal
Valediction: "I have read with great pleasure the report of your Battalion and Brigade Commander regarding your Gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on 9th August 1917 at Westhock Ridge Ypres". Signed:- E.G.T. Bainbridge Major General, Commander 25th Division
There is an additional handwritten note that is enclosed in a brass embossed plaque headed 13th Battalion The Cheshire Regiment. This title surrounds the Oak Leaf of the Cheshires, the only regiment entitled to this honour.
Presented to 24483 Lance Corporal R. Newby
"In recognition of his gallant conduct and Constant devotion to duty in the face of the enemy. By his bearing and deeds he set a glorious example to his comrades and worthily upheld the Honour and Tradition of his Regiment"
Signed:- J.P. (unreadable) Lieut Col., Commander 13th battalion, The Cheshire Regiment. Dated - May 21st 1917
On the reverse side of the above printed Valediction is the following handwritten comment:- "On Sunday 16/17 1917 during a minor operation carried out by the Battalion, this N.C.O. behaved with great coolness and contempt for danger, making several journeys across No man's land. His services were of great value to the Officer in charge of the operation." Initialled J.P.
My grandfather lost his arm in conflict and was invalided out of the army.
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Capt. Henry Maxwell 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1916) Henry Maxwell was born on 22nd November 1895, the younger son of Thomas Henry and Isabella Maxwell of this city.
A Captain in the 13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, he was killed in action near Thiepval, 10th October 1916. His body rests in Mouquet Farm, Grandcourt, France.
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Pte. Charles Sturdy 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.7th July 1916) Charles Sturdy was born in Middleborough Yorkshire. He was married to Annie (nee Davies) and lived in Llanrwst North Wales. He died on 7th July 1916, and is buried in Thiepval.
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L/Cpl. John William Taylor 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment I have very little on my grandfather John W. Taylor.
I believe he was in the Ambulance Section of 13 Btn Cheshire Regt. I have 3 photos But no ideas on names etc.
He was given a card with a ribbon from the then commanding officer E.J.? (Can't make the name out ) in recognition of his gallant conduct and constant devotion to duty in face of the enemy. Bottom of card is dated 5th of July 1917. The reverse of the card is handwritten by the commanding officer and reads:
"On the morning of 22nd of June 1917 when the body of an officer was discovered lying out in "No mans land" Lce Cpl Taylor at once volunteered and successfully brought in the body in broad daylight under unfavourable conditions.. (Illegible) Afterwards took the body down ( again illegible but looks like 4B :Ha ) over ground which the enemy were shelling heavily.
Signed...E.J." ( again I can't read the name but there )
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Pte. Alfred "Cliff" Edwards 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.9th Nov 1917)  My Uncle Alfred Edwards was born on March 6th 1896 in Ellesmere Port. He was christened Clifford and my mother always referred to him as 'Our Cliff'. Mum said he was a 'devil may care' lad, always joking! He was employed at a local Ironworks factory when the war broke out and was keen to sign up. He went along to the recruitment office only to be told to go home to his mother! Cliff was small in stature but would not give up. He went to Birkenhead to join the Bantams but this time he gave his name as 'Alfred' so as not to be detected. He was accepted this time and remained as Alfred.
Mum said he sent letters home requesting socks and Victory V lozenges and at one time a new mouth organ as the one he owned had worn out. A local comrade of Cliff's, while home on leave, called on the family and said how Cliff kept them all amused with his jokes, entertained with his mouth organ and warm with the lozenges (which his folk sent him by the pound) Mum said nothing was heard from him for some time, then an officer called with the sad news that he had died due to shell gas on November 9th 1917. He is buried in Belgium in Dozinghem Military Cemetery.
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Pte. Bernard William Whyte 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment My grandfather Bernard William Whyte was born in Chatham Kent but moved to Liverpool prior to the outbreak of WW1. He was an employee of Lever Brothers Port Sunlight and he responded to the call to join up.
On 7th September 1914, 700 Lever Brothers employees travelled from Port Sunlight to Chester by train and walked the mile to the Cheshire Military Museum at the Castle to enlist in the 13th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. They were the largest group of volunteers from any works in the country to sign-up to fight in the First World War.
Bernard, fortunately, survived the war although he was taken POW in April 1918 but he was repatriated at the end of the war.
On his service record it states he was awarded the military medal.
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