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18th (1st Public Works Pioneers) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
The 18th (1st Public Works) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 19th of January 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. They trained at Alexandra Palace, and moved to Rayleigh in May. They joined 33rd Division as a Pioneer Battalion at Clipstone Camp in July and moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. Their role as Pioneers was to provide and maintain support services to the Front Line including repairing trenches, tunnelling, laying rail tracks, revetting canals etc. They proceeded to France on the 15th of November, landing at Le Havre. 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 the division were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a period of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.
Jan 1915 Specialist Training
19th Jan 1915 18th Battalion raised for Middlesex
16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme
9th Nov 1915 Orders
10th Nov 1915 Order to Entrain
10th Nov 1915 Orders
11th Nov 1915 Final Preparations
11th Nov 1915 Orders Issued
12th Nov 1915 18th Middlesex proceed to France
12th Nov 1915 On the Move
13th Nov 1915 18th Middlesex at Docks
14th Nov 1915 18th Middlesex proceed to France
15th Nov 1915 To Rest Camp
16th Nov 1915 18th Middlesex On the Move
17th Nov 1915 Into Billets
17th Nov 1915 On the Move
18th Nov 1915 18th Middlesex on the March
18th Nov 1915 Orders
19th Nov 1915 In Billets
20th Nov 1915 On the March 
1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets
11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment
23rd Dec 1915 Attachments
10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens
9th February 1916 Call Ups
2nd Jun 1916 Orders
4th Jun 1916 Reorganisation
10th Mar 1917 Pioneers at Work
24th of January 1918
15th of February 1918 Orders
12th Apr 1918 Withdrawal At about 7.30am messages received from A,B, & D Coy’s 18th Durhams and a telephone message from C Coy to say that enemy were massing in front of them. 2nd Lt Freer reported to OC C COY that troops of 13th York & Lancasters were retiring. OC C Coy held on for about 15 minutes after left of York & Lancasters had withdrawn. He reported patrol coming through Grand Beaumart. D Coy on the left held on for some time longer than other companies and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. B Coy also inflicted casualties before retiring. The 15th West Yorks retired on the left of D Coy 20 minutes before D Coy moved. Orders were issued to Coy’s to hold on to line of the original first objective in the previous nights attack. 3 officers were wounded (seriously & left behind in the withdrawal) 18th DLI Coy’s retiring had (approx) the following casualties: A Coy 70, B Coy 80, C Coy 60, D Coy 60. Coy’s held for a short time this first objective but again withdrew.
The CO and Adjutant attempted to form a line 200yards South East of the Rau Du Leet and all Coy’s were at the same time warned to hold at all costs the road running along the Rau Du Leet. About this time our own artillery shelled us very heavily. The CO and Adjutant were only able to get a certain number of men as the front upon which the withdrawal was taking place was a large one and men had retired too far back, but with what men they could get at they formed a line. CO sent Adjt back to get into communications with Brigade HQ at the Farm (originally Battalion HQ) near Cemetery in F.12.a. Instructed all Coy’s in event of being forced to withdraw from line Rau Du Leetto form a strong point at the Cemetery. All Coy’s did not receive this order in time to do so. D Coy Commander with 15 men held on to the line Rau Du Leet to the North West of Blanche Maison. B Coy Commander with a few of his own men & some of 15th West Yorks held on near the Cemetery holding up the enemy advance after the main body had retired well back from the line Rau Du Leet. Battalion HQ also covered retirement of the main body by holding firm on line at Farm F.12.a.7.4. to F.11.a.9.9. Retirement to line of railway from F.5. central to South of Outtersteene.
Whole Brigade collected along railway which was a difficult position owing to necessity of men exposing themselves while watching dead ground in front and owing also to the exact fire of enemy machine guns on the railway line. Strength of Brigade on railway about 400. On right 15th West Yorks, centre 13th York & Lancasters, left 18th DLI. This line was held for over an hour when message was received from 15th West Yorks saying that their flank had been turned and that enemy were across the railway and were enfilading us. 15th West Yorks retired. Major Lowe held right half Battalion while Adjt withdrew with the left half through very close country and thick hedges. After withdrawing about 50yards Adjt took up new position facing East in open ground. On right half Battalion withdrawing, it was seen that they were under fire from farms on high ground to the South 300yards away. Right half Battalion formed defensive flank to the right while left half took up position facing South East on North side of the Bailleul to Outtersteene Road where we held for some time until right half of Battalion joined us.
After a conference of Maj Lowe MC, Maj Nutt 13th York & Lancasters and all officers it was decided that we were likely to be completely surrounded in a few minutes and decided to work round North & North West to our Brigade HQ at Merris. Putting out advanced guard, left flank guard, and rear guard we worked up behind hedges & after going about 400yards came into contact with Lt Col Tilley 15th West Yorks. CO’s conferred together & Lt Col Tilley & Maj Nutt voted reporting to 33rd Division which were occupying position defending Metern. Maj Lowe wished to work round and report to our own Brigade. Whole Brigade moved back and took up position with the 18th Middlesex Battalion on 33rd Divisional line facing South & East midway between Bailleul and Metern. Arranged with OC 18th Middlesex to take over a line of a few small rifle posts facing South East. Improved these trenches. Very little shelling. 18th Durham Light Infantry War Diary WO95/2361/1
12th of April 1918 Enemy Advances
13th of April 1918 Under Heavy Attack
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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 with18th (1st Public Works Pioneers) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918. - Bell George. Sgt
- Butcher Alexander Benjamin. Pte.
- Cain William Lucas. Cpl. (d.30th Sep 1916)
- Fieldhouse Arthur Frances. Pte.
- Filbey John Francis. Pte. (d.27th Dec 1917)
- Ikin William John. Pte.
- Jones Reginald. Pte. (d.4th October 1917)
- Kent Edward Charles. Sgt. (d.24th Mar 1918)
- Langridge John Robert. Pte
- Mappley William. Pte. (d.26th Sept 1918)
- McLeod Daniel. Cpl. (d.20th August 1916)
- Warren MM. Ernest. Cpl.
- Warren MM. Ernest. Cpl.
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 18th (1st Public Works Pioneers) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment from other sources.
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Sgt George Bell 18th (1st Public Works Pioneers) Btn Middlesex Regiment My Great Grandfather, Sergeant George Bell, served in the 18th Middlesex Service Battalion in WW1. They arrived in France in November 1915 and arrived at the Somme in July taking part in the attack on High Wood where he received a gunshot wound to his elbow. He also took part in the Battle of Arras and other battles. George was sent back to the UK in September 1918 when he lost his hearing. He was then discharged as no longer fit for service.
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Pte. Alexander Benjamin Butcher 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment Alexander Butcher served with the 12th, 18th and 23rd Battalions, Middlesex Regiment.
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Pte. William John Ikin 18th (1st Public Works) Battalion Middlesex Regiment I believe William Ikin was gassed at the Battle of the Somme and spent 6 months in the Middlesex hospital before being transferred to the Labour Corps in October or November 1917, he was demobbed on the 11th of June 1919
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Pte. John Francis Filbey 2/10th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.27th Dec 1917) John Filbey took his oath on the 10th May 1915 at Kew Bridge. This was approved in Hounslow on 11th May 1915. At the time he was 34 years old and married with 6 children. His life ended on 27th December 1917 in Egypt.
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Cpl. Ernest "Bob" Warren MM. 18th Btn. Middlesex Regiment My father, Ernest Warren was moblized on the 29th of May 1916 for the Royal Fusiliers. As well as the two war medals he was awarded the
military medal, which he received on 15th April 1918 near Albert, France for conspicuous gallantry in rescuing comrade from barbed wire, also awarded with him were 19100 Sgt Bird and 69392 Pte Hes
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Cpl. Ernest Warren MM. 18th Btn. Middlesex Regiment My father Ernest Warren was a lewis gun trainer in 1917-18 serving at Arras and Cambrai. He also took part in operations on the Somme 1918.
He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the Somme Front 1918 on April 15th 1918 for conspicuous gallantry. The story goes that he went to assist his comrade caught on the barbed wire. The other men mentioned were Sgt Baird and Pte Hayes along with my father. I have the original war document and photos.I would love to hear from anyone whose relative was in same regiment as my father during WW1.
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Pte. Reginald Jones 18th Middlesex Regt. (Pioneers) (d.4th October 1917) Pte. Reginald Jones served in the 18th Middlesex (Public Works) Regiment (Pioneers). He died on 4th October 1917 (aged 37) at the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He now lies at rest at Railway Dugouts (Transport Farm) Burial Ground (a former Advanced Dessing Station or ADS) near Zillibeke, in the Ypres Salient. His standard Army will is dated 3/10/1917 one day before he died.
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Sgt. Edward Charles Kent 18th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.24th Mar 1918) Edward Charles Kent was born in Lee, Kent and enlisted in Warley, Essex. He died of shell wounds on 24th March 1918, after being taken to 44th Australian Casualty Clearing Station and is buried at Nine Elms War Cemetary, Poperinge, Ypres.
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