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2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards
| Want to know more about 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards? There are:5279 items tagged 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards available in our Library
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 with2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards during the Great War 1914-1918. - Askew DCM W. J.. L/Sgt.
- Bailey Charles William. Pte. (d.26th Oct 1914)
- Balderstone Henry. Pte. (d.17th Aug 1915)
- Blashford William. Pte. (d.27th August 1918)
- Burrows Alexander. Pte. (d.18th March 1915)
- Busley Sydney Ernest Victor. Pte. (d.16th Sept 1916)
- Cooper Harold. Pte. (d.16th Sept 1916)
- Dinsley Francis Hugill . 2nd.Lt. (d.8th March 1919)
- Dymott Alfred James. L/Cpl. (d.24th March 1918)
- Fitzsimmons Joseph. Cpl.
- Flint Harry. L/Cpl. (d.16th September 1916)
- Flintoft John William. Pte. (d.6th February 1915)
- Galpin Randolph. Pte. (d.16th September 1916)
- Goldie John William. Pte. (d.7th Sept 1917)
- Graves-Sawle Richard Charles. Lt. (d.2nd Nov 1914)
- Greenslade Ernest. Sgt.
- Hartley Edwin Henry . Pte. (d.6th November 1918)
- Inman Horace. Pte. (d.24th Sept 1917)
- Irving Ernest. CSM. (d.27th Sep 1918)
- Killeen James. Pte. (d.15th September 1914)
- Lockwood Richard William Mark. 2nd Lt. (d.14th Sep 1914)
- Loveday Arthur Edward. Pte. (d.5th November 1914)
- Mace Samuel Charles. Pte (d.2nd Aug 1917)
- McCann Joseph. Pte. (d.20th Sep 1914)
- Parkes William Charles. Pte. (d.7th May 1918)
- Parsons Archibald Thomas. Pte. (d.9th Oct 1917)
- Perry Thomas. L/Cpl (d.4th May 1917)
- Prout Richard William Henry. Pte. (d.21st Sep 1916 )
- Rochelle Thomas. Gdsmn.
- Rochelle Thomas. Pte.
- Shipman MM. Harold. Sgt.
- Surtees William. Pte. (d.19th Sep 1914)
- Tweed Edward Thomas. Pte. (d.16th Feb 1915)
- Young Thomas Lees. Private (d.16th Sep 1916)
All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please Add a Name to this List
Records of 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards from other sources.
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Pte. Alexander Burrows 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.18th March 1915) Sandy Burrows was killed in action on the 18th of March 1915, aged 33. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France, he was the son of the late Richard and Margaret Burrows, of Burnley, husband of M. E. Burrows, of 22 Prestwich St., Burnley, Lancs.
Prior to enlisting he was the licensee of the Cross Gates Inn, Finsley Gate, Burnley. The Inn did not survive the war, it was closed in 1915 and compensation paid for the licence. The building remained empty until demolished in 1953.
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Sgt. Harold Shipman MM. 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards My great-grandfather Harold Shipman served during WW1. He joined The Coldstream Guards on 28th of September 1914 and joined the 4th Battalion at Caterham on 1st of October 1914. After completing his basic training, he was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards and embarked from Southampton on 7th of April 1915. He went into the trenches at Windy Corner around Givenchy, his battalion relieving the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. On 27th of July 1915, he was appointed Acting/Lance Corporal, then on 30th fo July 1915, whilst in the front line at Givenchy, he received a gunshot wound to the left leg. On 6th of August 1915, he returned to the front line and on 1st of December 1915 was appointed paid Lance Corporal. From 27/8/16 to 10/9/16, he was attached to the 183rd Field Coy., Royal Engineers, this was a tunnelling company on the Somme front.On 1/10/16, he was promoted to Corporal and appointed Lance Sergeant and on 14/12/16, we was attached to a works battalion in the field. On 2/3/17, he joined the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards and was attached to the 75th Field Coy., Royal Engineers. On 18th of June 1917, he was wounded in action, sustaining a high-explosive wound to his back and right thigh during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. This was opening attack of the Third Battle of Ypres, which later became known as Passchendaele. The battle began at 0350 hours on 31st of July 1917. He was transferred to a field hospital by the 3rd Field Ambulance on 1/8/17 and then on to a General Hospital in Etaples on 2/8/17. On 9/8/17, he transferred to hospital in England. On 21/8/17, he was posted to the 5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards at Windsor.On 30/9/17, he transferred to London Command Depot, Seaford. On 28/1/18, he transferred to reserve unit Shoreham. On 1/4/18, he joined the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards again and embarked from Southampton. He joined base depot on 2/4/18. He transferred back to the 3rd Battalion on 15/4/18 and was absorbed into the battalion as an unpaid Lance Sergeant. On 22/7/18, he was promoted to Sergeant in the field and transferred back to the 2nd Battalion on 31/8/18. On 9th of November 1918, he was awarded the Military Medal for his actions during the attack on Maubeuge. On 27/12/18, he transferred to Ripon, England and demobilised on 2/1/1919.
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Pte. Edwin Henry Hartley 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.6th November 1918) Edwin Hartley was born on the 17 August 1899, son of Albert Thomas and Mena Alice Hartley, in 1911 the family were living at 2 Shaa Road, Acton, London.
He served with the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. He died on the 6th of November 1918 aged 19, and is buried in Cross Road Cemetery, Fontaine-au-Bois, Northern France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London
Courtesy of www.stmaryacton.org.uk and www.cwgc.org
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2nd.Lt. Francis Hugill Dinsley 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.8th March 1919) Francis Dinsley was born on 9th September 1898 in Grendon, Northamptshire, the only son of Charles Frederick and Frances Louisa Dinsley of Harrold, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. The family moved to Sharnbrook and Francis was educated at Harrold Lower school and Bedford Modern school. In May 1917 he enlisted with the Household Battalion, he was commissioned in June 1918 and attached to 4th Coldstream Guards. On 23rd of November 1918 he served with the Expeditionary Force in France and on 24th of December 1918 with the Army of occupation in Germany. He transferred to 2nd Battalion, fell ill almost immediately and returned to the UK. He died on 8th of March 1919 age 20 years at No.3 London General Military Hospital, Wandsworth from pneumonia contracted whilst on active service. He is buried in St Peter and All Saints church. His commanding officer of the 4th Battalion wrote: "Everything he did he did with all his might and was so wonderfully keen. He did a great deal for the comfort and amusement of the men, and was greatly liked and respected by them". As a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1911-16, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.
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Pte. William Blashford 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.27th August 1918) I am led to believe that my grandfather, William Blashford, was the only person in the first world war with the name Blashford to be killed. I have visited his grave at Croisilles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais together with my wife and found it very moving.
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Pte. John William Flintoft 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.6th February 1915) John Flintoft was born in Lastingham in November 1891. His father John was a stone mason and married Mary Jane Ward in Lastingham church in 1883.
His brother, George Albert, was also killed in the war, thankfully their third son, Charles Francis, did return home safely.
John enlisted with the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards in Hull on 7th of September 1914 and was posted to France on 22nd of January 1915. He died in the No 1 Casualty Clearing Station, Chocques on 6th of February 1915. So his war was very short, but very tragic. He is remembered in the Chocques Military Cemetery.
His brother, Gunner George A Flintoft, 252 Bde RFA, was killed in action at Mametz, France on September 17th 1916, aged just 19. He is remembered in the Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France.
Both brothers are also remembered on the War Memorial in St Mary's Church Lastingham in North Yorkshire.
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Pte. Richard William Henry Prout 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.21st Sep 1916 ) Harry Prout is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of The Somme.
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Pte. James Killeen 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.15th September 1914) When tracing my family history, I located this man, James Killeen, who was my great uncle. He died, aged 28 years, on 15th September 1914 during the Retreat from Mons whilst serving as a private with the Coldstream Guards. There's an old photograph somewhere in our family of a soldier in a red tunic. I have just a poor photograph of that photograph, and understand no one knew who he was. The configuration of the buttons on the tunic seems to indicate Coldstream Guards.
His age, home, city, address, date of death and marital status all matches. He was apparently married to a lady named Jane, but they had no children. I have no idea what happened to her, she's not known in our family, so far as I know.
James is buried in a church cemetery in the village of Soupir, in France, and I'll make sure I visit next year to pay my respects, take a photo and leave a tribute. I am left with an infinitely sad feeling that he's somehow managed to come home into our family memory after all these years. I am immensely grateful for his sacrifice, courage and our freedom. James won't be forgotten again, and I will research more and make sure of that. We will certainly remember James, and if I can locate the photograph I will try to upload.
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Sgt. Ernest Greenslade 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards Ernest Greenslade enlisted in July 1907 and retired on 17th July 1914 as a Lance Sergent. He was remobilised in August 1914 at the start of WWI and promoted to the rank of Sergent in the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards.
Ernest served in the 2nd Battalion (4th Brigade) around the Ypres Salient in Belgium, Gheluvelt, Nonne Bosschen, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers and Festubert in 1915 as well as at Loos, Mount Sorrel. He also fought with the 1st Guards Brigade, Guards Division in the Battle of the Somme.
Sgt Greenslade was wounded on 19th November 1914 during the 1st Battle of Ypres (Flanders) defending Klein Zillebeke: he suffered a gunshot wound to his left forearm. He was wounded again on 15th September 1916 on the first day of the third phase of the Battle of the Somme (historically the first day that large numbers of tanks were used).
His medals include: 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge and King's Certificate.
Ernest had two daughters, Marjorie and Cissie, but both died during the war, aged two and one. He was discharged in August 1917 as no longer fit for war service.
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L/Cpl. Alfred James Dymott 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.24th March 1918) Alfred James Dymott was born in 1895 in Plumstead, South East London. He was the youngest of five brothers born to Henry and Eliza Dymott (nee Whiskin), and he was known as James or Jim, rather than Alfred. His brother and my grandfather, Arthur, lived at 101 Conway Road from 1914 until Arthur died in 1972. In 1911 James is recorded on the census as being employed as a 'house painters boy'.
He joined up in the autumn of 1914 disembarking at Le Havre on 17th March 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal and died on 24th March 1918 whilst serving in a new support line at Boiry St. Martin, Ficheux. He was killed outright, along with three comrades, during a withdrawal of the battalion to a new support line near Boiry-St.-Martin during the German Spring Offensive. Another 13 being wounded on that particular day. He is buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux. His headstone reads: Gone from us but not forgotten never shall thy memory fade. He was 22 years old.
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Pte Samuel Charles Mace 2nd Btn Coldstream Guards (d.2nd Aug 1917) Samuel Mace was born 20th Dec 1888 in Leicester and joined the Coldstream Guards on the 7th May 1906 in that city. His trade before entering the army was a moulder. His education within the Army took place at the Duke of York's Royal Military School; Royal Hibernian Military School; Industrial School under Home Office or Local Government Board. He obtained a Certificate of Education 2nd Class on 6 July 1906 and also passed swimming in 1906 and passed Ambulance Class at Aldershot on 19th March 1907. He married Mabel Cove on 25th December 1911 and they had three children - Eileen, Samuel Alan (known as Alan) and Joan born in 1916 the day after Samuel returned to the front.
His military history sheet shows that he served at home from 7th May 1906 until 25th August 1914. From 26th August 1914 until 14th December 1914 he was with the Expeditionary Forces Overseas. Between 15th December 1914 and 8th August 1916 he was serving at home. From the 9th August 1916 until 2nd August 1917 he was with the Expeditionary Forces Overseas. His wounds were: Shell wound shoulder - Routed 6.11.14
and a Gun shot wound to the head at Bolsinghe.
He died on 2nd August 1917 from this second wound in No. 46 Casualty Clearing Station, France and Mabel was notified on the 8th August (the day before Joan's first birthday). He is buried at Mendinghem British Cemetery 4 1/2 miles NW of Poperinghe - Mabel was notified of his burial place on 19th November 1917. His total years of service was 11 years 88 days.
Mabel received 26/3d a week War Widow's Pension from 11th Feb. 1918. Sam's Service Record doesn't indicate whether there was any backdated pension to August 1917. Mabel received Sam's posthumous campaign medals in 1922 - a 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
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Cpl. Joseph Fitzsimmons 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards Joseph Fitzsimmons served with the 2nd Coldstream Guards. I am doing research for our local Maritime museum at Maryport and have been given copy from a Newspaper at the time: "Grasslot Man's Appeal From the Trenches.
Big Guns Remind Him of the Bells.
Corporal Joseph Fitzsimmons of the 2nd Battalion the Coldstream Guards, and formerly of Grasslot in a further letter to his friend, Mr. R. Edgar, Grasslot says he spent Christmas and New Year in the trenches. On New Years Eve the bullets were flying, and the guns singing over the trenches put him in mind of the bells ringing in England. He is now a few miles back from the firing line having a rest after being in the trenches for two weeks. They had a hot time again, and lost a lot of men. They were up to the waist in mud and water, and had to stick it all the time. The Germans were only 50 yards away in some places, and tried very hard to make the British leave their trenches by throwing bombs into them. "But," says Corporal Fitzsimmons, "that did not matter we stuck in like real old British soldiers who never say die. The trenches were in a turnip field and they were flooded out with water. We had to wade among it all the time and it rained very nearly every day, and was very cold as well. Corporal Fitzsimmons goes on to state that he received a parcel of socks from the mission at Grasslot for which he is very grateful. He expresses his pleasure that Mr. Edgar's brother has enlisted, and mentions that his own brother is now in France, though he has not seen him yet. He has seen nobody he knows from Maryport yet, though he looks out for them every day.
In his few leisure moments in the trenches Corporal Fitzsimmons composed the following verses. Coming straight from the battlefield, written to the awful music of the guns, they make a splendid appeal by one who has been at the front from the very first, and has engaged in some of the hardest fighting :-
- When you're drinking your tots of whisky,
- And you're smoking your fat cigar,
- And your eyes have brightly twinkled
- At the girl behind the bar ; Just think of Tommy Atkins
- In his cold wet trench of clay,
- With nothing much to cheer him
- But his rations for the day.
- When you've discussed the latest victories
- Of the Russians and the French,
- When you've praised aloud our gallant troops
- For fighting in the trench ;
- When you've stated to your comrades
- Your opinion of the fight
- And look upon the prospect
- In many a different light ;
- Have you ever thought about yourself
- And the bit that you could do ?
- Has Kitchener to shout in vain -
- "Your country has need of you !"
- Put on you khaki uniform,
And leave your feather bed ;
- They can never say you shirked it
- When Danger lay ahead.
Sat. 9th January"
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Pte. Randolph Galpin 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.16th September 1916) Randolph Galpin's name is recorded on the village war memorial in North Cheriton, Somerset and on the Thiepval Memorial.
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Pte. William Charles Parkes 2nd Btn Coldstream Guards (d.7th May 1918)  My Grandfather, Private William Charles Parkes of the Coldstream Guards, 2nd Battalion was killed on May 7th and buried on his birthday, May 9th 1918.
The letter that his parents received said:
"Dear Mrs Parkes, I am exceedingly sorry to tell you that the news about your son is true, and that he was killed on May 7th. I have already written to his wife, and you may have heard from her since. I assure you that you have my sincerest sympathy in the loss of so good a son. His burial took place on May 9th in the British Military Cemetery and a cross erected at the head of his grave. I trust that it may be some consolation to you to feel that he died a noble death as a soldier for his country. In true sympathy, yours sincerely, L.N. Hodges (Chaplain)"
His son, my Father, William Parkes, was born in September 1916 but we do not know if he got leave to come home - so we do not know if he ever saw him. Sadly, my Grandmother died of the Spanish Flu in November 1918 so my father was an orphan.
As the house was bombed during WW2, my Father had nothing of his father's until we realized that one of the medals we had belonged to him. Through the record from the Coldstream Guards and the War Graves Commission, we were able to locate the grave in Bienvillers British Cemetery, France.
The trip to France to take my Father to visit his Dad's grave was very. emotional. It was the first time he allowed himself to grieve.
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Pte. Sydney Ernest Victor Busley 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards (d.16th Sept 1916) Sydney Busley was 20 years old when he was killed in action on September 16th 1916. Like so many others he was never given a grave of his own. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
He was my Grand-Uncle.
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Pte. Edward Thomas Tweed 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.16th Feb 1915) Edward Tweed was killed on the 16th of February 1915 aged 20 years. He is remembered at Le Touret Memorial in France
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Pte. Henry Balderstone 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.17th Aug 1915) Henry Balderstone died in a POW camp on 17th August 1915 and is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery.
He was the son of Mrs. Cecily Balderstone, of 29 Stanley St., Colne, Lancs.
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Pte. Thomas Rochelle 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards My grandfather, Thomas Rochelle, enlisted in the Coldstream Guards on 26th January 1915 in the 2nd Btn.and was demobbed from the army on 26th October 1917. He received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal also the Silver War Badge number 251138, Gazette page 153.
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Gdsmn. Thomas Rochelle 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards My grandfather, Thomas Rochelleenlisted in the Coldstream Guards in January 1915 and was in several battles until he received a shrapnel wound. He received the pip squeak and wilfred medals plus the silver war badge.
He passed away in 1961 leaving me his Service Bible with a dried Flanders poppy pressed inside.
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Pte. Joseph McCann 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.20th Sep 1914) Joseph McCann served with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, he was aged 26 when he died on 20th September 1914. Born in Jarrow he was the son of Matthew and Sarah Ann McCann. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Joseph McCann age 23 Soldier on leave from 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards staying with his older brother James Henry McCann and family at 5 Gladstone Street, Hebburn.
He had enlisted in South Shields.
Joseph is buried in Vailly British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.
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