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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment



   1st Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was in Dublin with 14th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 15th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. On the 12th of January 1916 transferred to 95th Brigade atill with 5th Division. In March 1916, 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

21st of August 1913 Lecture

9th of August 1914 At Southampton

13th of August 1914 Landing in France

13th of August 1914   Landing in France

14th of August 1914 Advance Party Leave

15th of August 1914  Arriving Busigny

16th of August 1914 Billets Organised

17th of August 1914  Brigades Pass Through

18th of August 1914 15th Bde Arrives

20th of August 1914 Preparing to March

20th Aug 1914 Address

21st of August 1914 March Instructions

22nd of August 1914  On the March

23rd Aug 1914 Patrols

23rd of August 1914 Holding the Line

23rd Aug 1914 Into Position

24th Aug 1914 Rear Guard

25th Aug 1914 In Defence

26th Aug 1914 Orders

26th Aug 1914 Under Fire

26th of August 1914  Holding Position

27th Aug 1914 Defensive line

27th of August 1914 Retirement in the Dark

28th Aug 1914 On the March

28th of August 1914 An Exhausting March

29th Aug 1914 Bivouack

29th of August 1914 Sleeping in the Streets

30th Aug 1914 On the March

31st Aug 1914 On the March

31st of August 1914  Pursued by Germans

1st of September 1914 A Delayed March

2nd of September 1914 An Early March

3rd of September 1914 Across the Marne

4th of September 1914 An Easier March

5th of September 1914 March Finished

6th of September 1914 Army Advances

7th of September 1914  Another March

8th of September 1914 An Early March

9th of September 1914 On the Move

10th of September 1914 Marching

11th of September 1914 Marching

12th of September 1914 A Wet March

13th of September 1914 A Showery March

14th Sep 1914 In Action

14th of September 1914 Broken Bridges

15th Sep 1914 In Action

15th of September 1914 An Attack Falters

16th of September 1914 Bad Roads

17th of September 1914 Artillery Reinforced

18th of September 1914 Some Enemy Firing

19th of September 1914 Trenches Fired Constantly

20th of September 1914 Sappers Make a Bridge

21st of September 1914  Missy on Fire

22nd of September 1914 Enemy Retiring?

23rd of September 1914 Heavy Shelling

25th of September 1914  Very Quiet

26th of September 1914 Moves Successful

27th of September 1914 A False Alarm

28th of September 1914 Shelling

29th of September 1914 Quiet

30th of September 1914 Astride the Aisne

1st of October 1914 A Withdrawal

2nd of October 1914 Moonlit Relief

3rd of October 1914 On the March

4th of October 1914 On the March

5th of October 1914 A New HQ

6th of October 1914 Orders to Move

7th of October 1914 A Train Ride

11th of October 1914 New Billets  location map

12th of October 1914 Orders to Advance  location map

13th of October 1914 Advance Resumed  location map

14th of October 1914 Supporting the French  location map

15th of October 1914 Advance Ordered to Continue  location map

16th of October 1914 Empty German Trenches  location map

17th of October 1914 An Advance  location map

18th of October 1914 Advance Resumed  location map

19th of October 1914  Slow Progress   location map

20th of October 1914 A Fluid Front  location map

22nd of October 1914 Our Line Attacked  location map

23rd of October 1914 Withdrawing to a New Line  location map

24th of October 1914 Germans Attack  location map

25th of October 1914 More Attacks  location map

26th of October 1914 Germans Repulsed  location map

27th of October 1914 A Counter Attack  location map

28th of October 1914 Counter Attack Falters   location map

29th of October 1914  Determined German Attack  location map

30th of October 1914 German Attack Fades  location map

31st of October 1914 A Counter Attack   location map

2nd of November 1914 Three Groups Organised  location map

3rd of November 1914  Situation Report  location map

5th of November 1914  French Attack Falters

8th of November 1914 Half-hearted Attacks  location map

14th of November 1914 Reliefs

15th of November 1914  2nd Corps Reorganise

17th of November 1914 Relief  location map

18th of November 1914 Shell Fire

19th of November 1914 Movements   location map

22nd of November 1914 In the Line  location map

23rd of November 1914  Germans Digging In  location map

24th of November 1914  Our Artillery Effective  location map

25th of November 1914  Royal Scots Shelled

26th of November 1914 Quiet and Misty  location map

28th of November 1914  On the Move

29th of November 1914  Infantry Distribution  location map

2nd of December 1914  A Moonlit Night  location map

3rd of December 1914 Instructions

4th of December 1914 Reliefs  location map

4th of December 1914 Relief  location map

5th of December 1914  Relief Complete   location map

6th of December 1914 Frosty Night

8th of December 1914 Poor Conditions

10th of December 1914 Naval Victory Cheered

13th of December 1914 Wire Cut  location map

14th of December 1914  French on the Offensive  location map

15th of December 1914  Operations Resumed  location map

16th of December 1914  Instruction  location map

18th of December 1914 No Progress

21st of December 1914 Howitzers Silenced  location map

26th of December 1914 Messines Square Targetted   location map

31st of December 1914 Message  location map

2nd of January 1915 Artillery Active   location map

4th of January 1915 Trench Work  location map

7th of January 1915 Very Wet Weather  location map

8th of January 1915 Trenches Damaged   location map

10th of January 1915 Flooding and Baling  location map

15th of January 1915 Germans Fire Slowly  location map

16th of January 1915 Squally Weather  location map

18th of January 1915 Artillery Active   location map

19th of January 1915  Thaw Sets In  location map

21st of January 1915 Wulverghem Shelled  location map

22nd of January 1915 Aeroplane-Aided Shelling  location map

29th of January 1915  Artillery Intervenes  location map

1st of February 1915  No 7 Trench Hit

4th of February 1915 Chicken Sentries

10th of February 1915 Artillery Redistribution  location map

11th of February 1915 Hostile MG Shelled  location map

13th of February 1915 Trenches Maintained  location map

14th of February 1915 Germans Plan an Attack?  location map

15th of February 1915 Heavy Rain

16th of February 1915 Baling All Night  location map

21st of February 1915 8th Howitzers Leave  location map

22nd of February 1915 Cheering and Rockets  location map

24th of February 1915 Snipers Checked  location map

27th of February 1915 Brigade Relief  location map

1st of March 1915  Quiet  location map

13th of March 1915 Booby Trap  location map

16th March 1915  Information

18th of March 1915 Trench Mortars

21st of March 1915 Intelligence

24th Mar 1915 Reliefs

27th of March 1915 German Air Activity  location map

30th of March 1915  Hostile MG Damaged?   location map

31st March 1915  Working Parties  location map

31st of March 1915 Staff

1st of April 1915 Situation Normal  location map

4th Apr 1915 Reliefs

7th of April 1915 Mostly Quiet   location map

12th of April 1915 German Planes Active   location map

17th of April 1915  Mines Exploded  location map

17th April 1915 5th Division Attack  location map

19th Apr 1915 Consolidation  location map

20th Apr 1915 Bombardment  location map

20th of April 1915 Quiet  location map

21st Apr 1915 Bombardment  location map

1st of May 1915 Gas Casualties  location map

23rd May 1915 Reliefs

29th May 1915 Instruction  location map

24th July 1915 Reliefs Complete

30th of July 1915  Detrainment

10th of August 1915  Relief of French  location map

1st September 1915 Reliefs  location map

10th of September 1915  Enemy Hit Dummy Battery  location map

10th September 1915 Reliefs

11th of September 1915 Changes of Command  location map

16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme

1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets

11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment

1st of January 1916 Night-time Shelling

2nd of January 1916 Direct Hits  location map

10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens

13th of January 1916 5th Division in Reserve

9th February 1916 Call Ups

10th of February 1916  MG Coys Join

4th of March 1916 Snow All Day

7th of March 1916 Torpedoes Fired

21st Mar 1916 Reliefs

12th Apr 1916 Reliefs

13th of April 1916 Brigade Relief

4th May 1916 

29th May 1916 Reliefs

20th of July 1916 Positions of Units  location map

23rd of July 1916 Longueval Attack Report  location map

24th of July 1916 Reliefs  location map

25th of July 1916  Enemy Advances  location map

27th July 1916 At 0650 hours a Company reported they could_hardly muster a platoon owing to most of the Company being buried by the heavy shelling.  location map

28th July 1916 Consolidateion

28th July 1916 Two Companies of East Surrey's and the D.C.L.I. arrived.  location map

29th of July 1916  Quiet Situation  location map

31st July 1916 Owing to the very heavy poisoned gas-shell 2245 hours barrage in Valley North of Montauban the whole Battalion had to put on gas helmets.  location map

5th of August 1916 Divisional Dispositions

27th of August 1916 Divisional Dispositions  location map

30th of August 1916  Enemy Artillery Active  location map

31st of August 1916  Warning Order Issued  location map

1st of September 1916 Enemy SOS  location map

4th of September 1916 Units Mixed Up  location map

8th of September 1916 Prepare to Move

19th of September 1916 In the Front Line  location map

21st of September 1916 Situation Normal  location map

22nd of September 1916 Dispositions  location map

23rd of September 1916 Reliefs  location map

25th of September 1916  Instructions for Tanks  location map

28th of September 1916 Heavy Showers  location map

30th of September 1916 Dispositions

10th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved at Cuinchy  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers relieved by the 2nd Btn East Surrey Regiment and the 2nd King Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the Cuinchy sub sector. The 16th Northumberlands move to Bethune for training.

10th October 1916 Billets  location map

13th of October 1916 Reliefs  location map

29th of October 1916   Patrol Reports  location map

31st of October 1916 Distribution  location map

5th of November 1916 Enemy Guns Active  location map

22nd of November 1916 Enemy Unusually Quiet  location map

24th of November 1916  Artillery and TMs Active  location map

26th of November 1916 Enemy Blow Mine  location map

26th November 1916 Shared Billeting Area

30th of November 1916  Enemy Baling Out  location map

2nd of December 1916 Raiding Party Fails  location map

4th of December 1916  German Trenches Damaged  location map

6th of December 1916  Working Parties Dispersed  location map

10th of December 1916  Working Parties Dispersed  location map

14th of December 1916  A Combined Shoot  location map

20th of December 1916 German TMs Active  location map

21st of December 1916 Ferme Cour d'Avoue Shelled  location map

22nd of December 1916 Quiet Day  location map

24th of December 1916 Germans Very Active  location map

29th of December 1916  Artillery Quieter  location map

5th of January 1917  Aeroplanes Active  location map

6th of January 1917  German Guns Quiet  location map

9th of January 1917  Spotted Dog Shelled  location map

13th of January 1917  Retaliation "Feeble"  location map

17th of January 1917 Guns Active  location map

20th of January 1917 Active Artillery  location map

21st of January 1917 Our TMs Active  location map

22nd Jan 1917 Reliefs

26th of January 1917 TMs Busy  location map

30th of January 1917 Hostile TMs Busy  location map

1st of February 1917  Balloon Spotted  location map

3rd of February 1917 Artillery Active  location map

6th of February 1917 Fairly Quiet  location map

7th of February 1917  Feeble Retaliation  location map

9th of February 1917  Little TM Retaliation  location map

12th of February 1917 Artillery Quiet  location map

15th of February 1917 Enemy TMs Fall Short  location map

17th of February 1917 TMs Quiet  location map

19th of February 1917 Our Guns Active  location map

21st of February 1917  Our Guns Active  location map

28th of February 1917 Artillery Quiet  location map

1st of March 1917 POWs Taken  location map

4th of March 1917 Damage Caused by Heavies  location map

6th of March 1917  Brigades Attached  location map

8th of March 1917  Divisional Relief  location map

9th of March 1917  TMs Very Active  location map

11th of March 1917 Auchy Heavily Shelled  location map

14th of March 1917 Pekin Trench Hit  location map

15th of March 1917  Brigade Relief  location map

20th of March 1917  Composite Division Formed  location map

24th of March 1917 Pioneers On the Move

27th of March 1917 In Corps Reserve  location map

2nd of April 1917  Positions  location map

8th of April 1917 HQ Moves

11th of April 1917 Dispositions

12th of April 1917 Orders and Reliefs  location map

13th of April 1917  A Push Forward  location map

14th of April 1917 Orders to Move  location map

18th of April 1917 Divisional Front Readjusted  location map

20th of April 1917 Orders to Attack  location map

21st of April 1917 Operations Postponed  location map

22nd of April 1917 Warning Order Received  location map

24th of April 1917 35 Minute Bombardment  location map

25th of April 1917 Canadians Take Over Front  location map

27th of April 1917 Rest and Training

28th of April 1917 Rest and Training  location map

29th of April 1917  Rest and Reliefs

2nd of May 1917 13th Inf Bde Moves

5th of May 1917  Wood Shelled  location map

6th of May 1917 Enemy Guns Active  location map

8th of May 1917  Orders to Attack  location map

8th May 1917 Battalion warned to be prepared to move at once to support 95th Brigade.

8th May 1917 In Action  location map

9th of May 1917 No Further Advance  location map

10th of May 1917 Enemy Concentration Reported  location map

11th of May 1917 Enemy Guns Active  location map

12th of May 1917 Bailleul Shelled  location map

13th of May 1917 Front Line Shelled  location map

15th of May 1917 Very Quiet Day  location map

17th of May 1917 A Surprise Attack  location map

20th of May 1917 Guns Active  location map

21st of May 1917 Quiet Night  location map

22nd of May 1917  Quiet Day  location map

24th of May 1917  Relief Completed  location map

26th of May 1917 Quiet Day  location map

31st May 1917 Work and Training  location map

2nd of June 1917   location map

9th of June 1917  A Relief  location map

10th of June 1917 Minor Op Planned  location map

14th of June 1917 Relief  location map

15th of June 1917   Relief Completed  location map

16th June 1917  Quiet Night  location map

17th of June 1917 Quiet Day  location map

18th of June 1917   Aircraft Active  location map

19th of June 1917  Quiet Day  location map

21st of June 1917  Brigade Relief Completed  location map

26th of June 1917  Quiet Day  location map

28th of June 1917  Successful Operation   location map

1st of July 1917  Front Line Adjusted  location map

5th of July 1917  Our Trenches Damaged  location map

6th of July 1917  A Brigade Relief  location map

10th of July 1917 A Raid Ordered  location map

12th of July 1917  Back Areas Shelled   location map

17th of July 1917 Quiet Time  location map

18th of July 1917 Direct Hits Made  location map

19th of July 1917   Situation Quiet   location map

21st of July 1917 Back Areas Shelled  location map

23rd of July 1917 Minenwerfer Active  location map

26th of July 1917  Very Quiet   location map

27th of July 1917  Gas Attack  location map

29th of July 1917 Brigade Relief  location map

1st of August 1917 MG Activity  location map

3rd of August 1917   Snipers Active  location map

4th of August 1917  Hostile Shelling  location map

7th of August 1917  A German Raid  location map

10th of August 1917 Mostly Quiet  location map

13th of August 1917 Two Minute Barrage  location map

16th of August 1917 MGs Active  location map

19th of August 1917  Gas Drums Plan  location map

22nd of August 1917 Railway Shelled  location map

25th of August 1917  TMs Hit Oppy Wood  location map

27th of August 1917 Quiet Time  location map

31st August 1917 Quiet Time  location map

3rd of September 1917  Quiet  location map

5th of September 1917 Brigades on the March  location map

6th of September 1917 Gas Shelling  location map

7th of September 1917 Training  location map

9th of October 1917 Hostile Guns Active  location map

10th of September 1917  Division to Move

11th of September 1917  Artillery Marches

3rd of October 1917 More Heavy Shelling   location map

4th of October 1917 Attack Launched  location map

5th of October 1917 Quieter Night  location map

10th of October 1917   "Intense Barrage" Endured  location map

11th of October 1917 Snipers Active  location map

14th of October 1917 Training  location map

17th of October 1917 Training  location map

21st of October 1917 Offensive to be Resumed  location map

25th of October 1917 Incessant Shelling  location map

28th of October 1917 Enemy Guns "Above Normal"  location map

28th October 1917 Relieved at night by the 1st East Surrey Regt.

4th of November 1917 Heavy shelling  location map

6th of November 1917 Attack Launched  location map

8th of November 1917 Fairly Quiet  location map

11th of November 1917 Quiet Time  location map

14th of November 1917 95th Brigade Entrain

18th of November 1917 121st Battery Moves  location map

19th of November 1917  Pioneers Move

26th of November 1917   HQ Closes and Re-opens

27th of November 1917 Entraining for Italy

28th of November 1917 Entraining for Italy

9th of April 1918 Orders

10th of April 1918  Relief Postponed

13th of April 1918 Enemy Attacks  location map

15th of April 1918   Another Enemy Attack  location map

16th of April 1918 Situation Quiet  location map

16th April 1918 Operational Order 25.  location map

18th of April 1918  Artillery Active  location map

19th of April 1918 A Raiding Party   location map

22nd of April 1918  A Gas Attack  location map

23rd of April 1918 Constant Shelling  location map

25th of April 1918  Division Attacks  location map

26th Apr 1918 Gun Positions  location map

28th of April 1918 Artillery Quieter  location map

30th of April 1918 Artillery Very Active  location map

3rd of May 1918 Enemy Artillery Active   location map

4th of May 1918 Situation Quiet  location map

10th of May 1918 Gas Shells Used   location map

15th of May 1918 Our Heavies Busy   location map

17th of May 1918 Active Artillery  location map

20th of May 1918 British Attack Success  location map

22nd of May 1918 Enemy Active  location map

22nd May 1918 Preparations

23rd of May 1918 Quiet Night  location map

23rd May 1918 Relief completed

30th of May 1918 A Relief  location map

5th of June 1918  Brigade Relief  location map

12th June 1918 Baths

13th of June 1918  Brigade Relief Completed  location map

15th of June 1918  Operation Proposed  location map

20th of June 1918 Situation Unchanged  location map

22nd of June 1918  Slight Activity  location map

25th of June 1918 WO95/1510/4  location map

29th of June 1918 Enemy Guns Active  location map

1st of July 1918  Situation Unchanged  location map

2nd of July 1918 Artillery Active  location map

7th of July 1918  Gas Shelling  location map

12th of July 1918 Back Areas Bombed  location map

18th of July 1918  Our Guns Active  location map

24th of July 1918  Relief Completed  location map

28th of July 1918 Quiet   location map

31st of July 1918 Relief Completed  location map

9th of August 1918  Training  location map

10th of August 1918  Training

13th of August 1918 Entraining Commenced

15th of August 1918  Training

21st of August 1918  Division Advances  location map

23rd of August 1918  Division Attacks  location map

24th of August 1918  5th Division Co-operates  location map

25th of August 1918 Brigades Move  location map

26th of August 1918  Enemy Retreats  location map

27th of August 1918 Quiet  location map

28th of August 1918   Situation Unchanged  location map

30th of August 1918  Advance Continues  location map

31st of August 1918  Counter-Attack  location map

1st of September 1918  Attack Sucessful  location map

2nd of September 1918 Strongly Defended

3rd of September 1918  Enemy Withdraws  location map

4th of September 1918 Divisional Relief

5th of September 1918 Rest and Training

17th of September 1918 Back Areas Bombed  location map

18th of September 1918 Attack Commences  location map

19th of September 1918 Enemy Guns Quiet  location map

20th of September 1918  Quiet Time  location map

22nd of September 1918 Field Guns Active  location map

30th of September 1918  Divisional Relief  location map

20th of October 1918   location map

23rd of October 1918 Heavy Bombardment

11th of November 1918 Armistice and a Report  location map

13th of November 1918 Resting

10th of January 1919  Locations

If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.





Want to know more about 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment?


There are:5665 items tagged 1st Battalion, East Surrey 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

1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Alexander William. Pte. (d.2nd September 1918)
  • Blake George W.. Pte. (d.15th December 1914)
  • Bory Charles Alexander. Pte. (d.8th May 1917)
  • Broad Walter James. Pte. (d.10th Oct 1917)
  • Campbell Robert. Capt
  • Compton Percy. Pte.
  • Cooke Henry John. Pte. (d.5th Nov 1916 )
  • Dearing Edward. Pte. (d.3rd Sep 1916)
  • Dwyer VC Edward. Cpl. (d.3rd September 1916)
  • Emery Albert Edward . Pte. (d.25th September 1916)
  • Farley Frank. Pte. (d.4th Oct 1917)
  • Fredericks William. Sgt. (d.18th February 1917)
  • Goble Herbert. Pte.
  • Green MMde. Albert William Charles. Pte.
  • Greygoose Leo Eric. Pte. (d.23rd Aug 1918)
  • Harvey Mortimer Hugh. Pte.
  • Head Arthur. Sgt.
  • King John. Pte. (d.25th Dec 1915)
  • Morritt MID William. Capt. (d.27th June 1917)
  • Taylor William Thomas. Pte. (d.20th April 1915)
  • Wade John Henry. Pte. (d.28th May 1916)
  • Ward Charles Percy. Pte. (d.3rd Sep 1916)
  • Ward Neville Lascelles. 2Lt. (d.23rd August 1914)
  • Webb Daniel Charles. L/Cpl. (d.23rd August 1918)

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 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment from other sources.


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  Cpl. Edward Dwyer VC 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd September 1916)

Edward Dwyer was klled in action on 3rd of September 1916, aged 20 and is buried in the Flatiron Copse Cemetery in France.

An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 21st May, 1915, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at "Hill 60" on the 20th April, 1915. When his trench was heavily attacked by German grenade throwers he climbed on to the parapet, and, although subjected to a hail of bombs at close quarters, succeeded in dispersing the enemy by the effective use of his hand grenades. Private Dwyer displayed great gallantry earlier on this day in leaving his trench, under heavy shell fire, to bandage his wounded comrades."

s flynn






  Pte. Leo Eric Greygoose 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

Leo Greygoose was killed in action on the 23rd of August 1918, aged 19. Buried in the Adanac Military Cemetery in Somme, France, he was native of Abridge, Essex. Son of Alfred and Annie Greygoose, of 44, Eastfield Rd., Enfield Wash, Middx, his brother Lawrence John Victor Greygoose also fell.

s flynn






  Pte. Charles Percy Ward 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

Percy Ward enlisted 22nd February 1916 and died in action in France on 3rd of September 1916, aged 33.

Karl Garrod






  Pte. Charles Alexander Bory 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.8th May 1917)

Charles Bory died on 8th May 1917 at the Battle of Arras. His name is on the Arras Memorial.

Ian Ellmers






  2Lt. Neville Lascelles Ward 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.23rd August 1914)

Neville Ward died aged 20 on the very first day of fighting by British troops, leading a charge at Mons. He would have been my great uncle, had he survived. This is all I know.

Jillian Gorton






  Pte. Herbert Goble 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment

Herbert Goble enlisted on the 25th of November 1915 at Littlehampton and was originally with the Royal Sussex Regiment. He went to France in September or October 1916 (records are damaged and hard to read) but was transferred to the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment on 7th of November 1916.

He is listed on a Prisoner of War Repatriation record, showing his Last Place of Internment as Wittenberg, arriving there 26 December 1918. He was captured at Oppy, France on 8th of May 1917.

William Goble






  Pte. William Alexander 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.2nd September 1918)

William Alexander was the youngest son of widow, Christina Alexander (nee Law) of 44 Kintore Place, Aberdeen.

Andrew J. McHardy






  Sgt. William Fredericks Northamptonshire Regiment (d.18th February 1917)

William Fredericks started in 1903 as a Private with 1st Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. He was sent to France in 1914 where he was wounded in the same year.

At some point he transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment and fought at the Battle for Boom Ravine. He was wounded again on the 17th February 1917 and died from his wounds the next day on the 18th February 1917. He is buried at Varennes Military Cemetery.

Michael Mason






  Pte. John Henry Wade 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.28th May 1916)

My great grandfather, John Wade served with the 1st East Surrey Regiment. he died on 28th of May 1916, age 24. He was the son of Mrs E. M. Webber (formerly Wade) of 615 Garwood Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

He is remembered with honour at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez.

John Wade






  Pte. William Thomas Taylor 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.20th April 1915)

My mom's great great grandad, William Taylor, served with the East Surrey Regiment. He died on 20th of April 1915. He was awarded the 1914 Star, British Medal and the Victory Medal He is buried in Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery near Ypres in Belgium.

Geoffrey Paine






  Sgt. Arthur Head 1st Btn. East Surrey Rgt.

My grandfather Arthur Head joined the British Army in 1905 and served until he was discharged in 1920 and then he left for Canada in 1928. In 1911-12 he was definitely posted in India and received the Abor expedition medal, 1911-12. His service book showed he learned Hindustani.

During WWI he served with the 1st Btn of the East Surrey Regiment. In 1916, while on leave in London, England, he saved the life of a man who was drowning in the River Thames. For this action he received the Royal Humane Society Life Saving Medal.

Don Head






  Pte. Walter James Broad 9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.10th Oct 1917)

My great great grandfather, Walter Broad, was born Nov. 1883 Woodford Bridge, Essex. Walter married Emily Elizabeth Barnard 13th Sept. 1903 at Woodford Bridge, Essex. Their only son, Stanley, was born in 1913. Walter enlisted at Bedford, he was resident 32, Castle Rd., Fleetville, St. Albans and the bus ran to Bedford from the end of his road.

G/32330 Private Broad served with 1st & 9th Battalions East Surrey Regt. His Regimental number seems to show a mid-November 1915 enlistment and is prefixed with G/. shows a wartime short attestment as men enlisting with the East Surrey Regiment for wartime service only were given numbers from a separate series prefixed with the letter G/. He was killed in action aged 35 between 2nd July 1917 -10th October 1917: Maybe at Passchendaele, 3rd Battle of Ypres as his death date is noted as 10th October 1917 which was the last date of the Battle, presumably missing in action before then (see note on effects ledger.) His remains are buried in Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Emily never remarried & was fortunate that her only son grew up, avoided the 2nd War by being in a protected profession. Stanley married Gertie (who also lost her father in the war). Stanley was my partner's Grandad.

As far as I've been able to ascertain so far, 1st Battalion landed at Le Havre 15th August 1914, remaining in France to 12th January 1916 in 5th Division. November 1917 moved with the Division to Italy but returned to France in April 1918.

The 9th (Service) Battalion East Surrey was formed at Kingston-upon-Thames in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 72nd Brigade in 24th Division.They were moved to billets in Worthing & in April 1915 to Shoreham & Blackdown, Aldershot in June 1915, landing at Boulogne 1 September 1915 & straight into battle at Loos with heavy casualties for green novice troops. The Battalion remained on Western Front until the Armistice.

I may be wrong though so any help or tips on tracing his war very much appreciated.) I have traced some documents but have no pictures of him...yet Walter James Broad is listed on the St. Albans City World War 1 Memorial in St Peter's Street which lists 634 names of men who died from St. Albans in the Great War.

Unrelated but also commemorated on St Albans memorial: William Raymond Corley, Second Lieutenant, 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 27 March 1918. Aged 23. Son of William and Marian Corley, of 2, Selby Avenue, St. Albans. Mentioned in Despatches. No known grave. Commemorated on Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.

Helen Whittle






  Pte. Mortimer Hugh Harvey 1st Battalion Royal East Surrey

Mortimer Harvey is believed to have been the son of the mayor of Kingston on Thames, which was the home of the East Surrey Regiment. He enrolled on April 9th leaving his five young children at home with his wife Florence Elebeck nee Lee.

Mortimer lost a portion of his stomach following a poison gas attack at Ypres, and was discharged on July 7th, 1917. His family was surprised and Mortimer was overjoyed when his wife gave birth to Phyllis, his sixth child, born on May 2nd, 1920. He lived to enjoy his grandchildren and die of old age unlike many of his fellow soldiers.

Noel Thompson






  Capt. William Morritt MID 1st Btn. East Surrey Rgt (d.27th June 1917)

Captain Morritt was a prisoner at Schwarmstedt POW Camp. He was shot dead ny guards on 27th June 1917 and is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, grave II.H.1.







  Pte. Albert William Charles Green MMde. 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment

My father, Albert William Charles Green, was a Private in the 1st Battalion East Surreys. He was with the BEF in France in August 1914, and fought with the 1st Battalion, until the end of the war, in November 1918. He was in the Royal Navy, but jumped ship to join the East Surreys. He enlisted under the assumed name of Bloomfied, and because of this all his medals are awarded under the name of Bloomfield.

He fought in many of the major campaigns and battles, including Hill 60, and Vimy Ridge. He was awarded the French Medaille for gallantry during the action at Delville Wood on 14th of June 1917. He was the Battalion runner. Dad died in 1977 still very proud of his old regiment

Peter Green






  Capt Robert Campbell 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment

When British prisoner of war Robert Campbell asked the Kaiser if he could visit his dying mother, he was astonished to be given permission – on condition that he promised to return.

S. Flynn






  Pte. Edward Dearing 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

Ted Dearing signed up at Kingston Upon Thames in February 1915 at the age of 16 years old. Like many he lied about his age as on his service records his birth date is given as 22nd October 1896, this is wrong as he was born in Paddington, London on the 22nd October 1898. His brother Arthur was serving in France with the 8th Royal Fusiliers and Ted wanted to follow. It is known that he served his whole service with the 1st East Surreys and fought at Vimy Ridge and then moved south onto the Somme.

He was Killed in Action on 3rd September 1916 just before his 18th birthday. Family legend has it that he was heading with his battalion towards Guillemont. He never made his objective and is believed to be resting with the other unknown men of that day in the woodland of Delville Wood.His body has never been found, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. Pier and Face 6 B and 6 C. He is still spoken about most months in our family and is very dearly missed though none of us knew him.

Daniel Morris






  Pte. Frank Farley 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.4th Oct 1917)

Frank Farley was my paternal Grandfather. He enlisted in the East Surrey Regiment in Chichester. Precise details of his service were destroyed when military records were destroyed in London by enemy action in WW2. He was killed at Ypres on 4th October 1917 near a village called Broodseide.He has no marked grave as his remains were never found, but his name appears, with others from his regiment on the frieze at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Flanders.

Roger Farley






  Pte. Henry John Cooke 1st Btn East Surrey Regiment (d.5th Nov 1916 )

Henry Cooke is a distant relation, he is buries in Gorre British and Indian Cemetery, grave 111. 8. 19.

David Scott






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