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21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers
21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers was raised on the 26th of October 1914 in Newcastle mainly from men of Scottish decent from the North East. Initially training in Newcastle City centre the 2nd Tyneside Scottish moved to Alnwick camp, in the grounds of Alnwick castle on the 29th of January 1915. They joined 102nd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915. In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, attacking just north of the village of La Boisselle, not far from Albert. At 7.28 am on 1st July 1916 two great mines were detonated beneath the German positions, one to the north of the village and one to the south. At 7.30 am the whistles sounded and the attack began. The 2nd Tyneside Scottish had 500 yards to cover, under heavy machine gun fire, before reaching the German lines, and many men of the battalion lost thier lives. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.
26th Sep 1915 On the Move
16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme
1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets
11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment
8th Jan 1916 On the Move
9th Jan 1916 On the Move
9th Jan 1916 On the Move
10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens
10th Jan 1916 On the Move
12th Jan 1916 Locations
15th Jan 1916 On the Move By the 15th of January 1916 all units of 34th Division had arrive in France and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer.
16th Jan 1916 Organisation
20th Jan 1916 Inspection
21st Jan 1916 Orders
21st Jan 1916 Instruction 
22nd Jan 1916 Orders Issued
23rd Jan 1916 On the Move
23rd Jan 1916 In Reserve
24th Jan 1916 Inspection
25th Jan 1916 Instruction
26th Jan 1916 On Alert
26th Jan 1916 Reliefs
27th Jan 1916 Emergeny Scheme
27th Jan 1916 Enemy Active
28th Jan 1916 Emergeny Scheme
9th February 1916 Call Ups
19th Feb 1916 Move
29th Mar 1916 Stores
28th June Letters Home The raider did not get much rest for on the 27th and 28th the Battalions of 34th Division began to move forward. This in preparation for the opening of the attack.
For the previous four days the British Artillery had been bombarding the German trenches.
Every man in the Brigade was aware that the opening of the offensive was very close.
Before setting off for the front line men wrote what could be their last letters home.
However the date and time of attack was to be delayed by forty eight hours.
Heavy summer rain had fallen on the 26th and 27th there was a great possibility of flooding. On the 28th June the decision was taken to postpone the attack.
The Divisional and Brigade staff Officers had the job of halting and turning around those battalions on their way to the front line.
1st Jul 1916 34th Division in Action
1st Sep 1916 Artillery in Action
2nd Sep 1916 Quiet
3rd Sep 1916 Quiet
4th Sep 1916 Visit
5th Sep 1916 Stormy
6th Sep 1916 Instruction
7th Sep 1916 Artillery Active
8th Sep 1916 Bombardment
9th Sep 1916 Orders
10th Sep 1916 Quiet
11th Sep 1916 Preparations
12th Sep 1916 Reliefs
13th Sep 1916 Wire Cutting
14th Sep 1916 Raid
15th Sep 1916 Trench Raids
16th Sep 1916 Bombardment
17th Sep 1916 Orders
18th Sep 1916 Trench Raids
19th Sep 1916 Orders
20th Sep 1916 Orders
23rd Dec 1916 Relief Completed
5th Jun 1917 In Action
6th Jun 1917 In Action
6th Jun 1917 In Action
2nd of January 1918 In Support
2nd of January 1918 Shelling
6th of January 1918 In the Front Line
6th of January 1918 Reliefs Complete
10th of January 1918 Reliefs
10th of January 1918 Thaw Continues
14th of January 1918 Enemy on the Move
14th of January 1918 Enemy Patrol Retires
14th of January 1918 Enemy Patrol Retires
17th of January 1918 Enemy Very Quiet
17th January 1918 Machine Guns Active
20th of January 1918 Another Relief
21st of January 1918 A Surrender
23rd of January 1918 Reliefs
23rd of January 1918 Prisoner Captured
29th of January 1918 Divisional HQ Moves
31st of January 1918 Training
1st of February 1918 Battalions to be Disbanded
3rd of February 1918 Reinforcements Arrive
28th of February 1918 On the Move
3rd of April 1918 Training and 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 with21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers during the Great War 1914-1918. - Arnot Thomas Hick. Pte. (d.1st July 1916)
- Blackwell Charles Edgar. Pte. (d.9th Apr 1917)
- Bosomworth Roland.
- Bulman Cyril Ramshaw. 2nd Lt.
- Carrick William Henry. Pte. (d.17th Oct 1917)
- Clark William. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Clarke William. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Davies David Robert.
- Davis George Henry. Pte. (d.9th Jul 1916)
- Davis George Henry. Pte. (d.9th July 1916)
- Davis R.. Pte.
- Dodgson John Humphrey. L/Cpl.
- Elliott Ethelbert Samuel Gerald. Pte.
- Gath Leonard. Pte.
- Gettings Archibald. Pte. (d.28th Dec 1917)
- Goldie Robert Millican. Pte.
- Heneker Frederick. Mjr. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Hornsey Norman. Pte. (d.9th April 1917)
- Hunt MM. Lionel Frederick. Pte (d.10th Sep 1917)
- Mates Thomas. Pte (d.17th October 1917)
- Melvin Walter.
- Middleton John William. Pte. (d.17th October 1917)
- Nicholson John. Pte. (d.30th June 1916)
- Nurse John James. Pte. (d.10th Sep 1917)
- Potts William Irwin. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Pyle Charles Tonkinson. Pte. (d.28th Sep1916)
- Rix Robert Earnest. Pte. (d.27th Jun 1916)
- Scattergood Tom Victor. 2nd Lt. (d.6th Jun 1917)
- Skeen Oswald. Pte (d.20th June 1917)
- Smiles Edward William. Pte. (d.9th Oct 1917)
- Stockley V. M.. Col.
- Storey Robert James. Fus.
- Telford Andrew Spoors. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Wallace Thomas. Cpl. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Welsh John Joseph. Cpl. (d.5th June 1916)
- White Nathan. 2/Lt. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- White Stewart Alexander. Capt. (d.3rd July 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 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers from other sources.
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Pte. Robert Earnest Rix 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Jun 1916) I have found my great uncle Robert Rix enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers at Bedlington, England in 1916.
Robert was born in Widdrington pit village (coal mine), in the North East of England in 1894 and would become one of 14 children of George and Alice Rix. His father was a coal miner. The family moved to Bomarsund/Stakeford in 1911 and were living at 2 East Terrace. Many of the older boys and their father worked in the coal mine there also. Robert was a pit pony driver, from the about the age of 13.
Robert enlisted as a private in the 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion. After training he landed in France, and his battalion was sent to the Western Front (and finally, the Somme).
No more is noted in the records until he next turns up at the 38th Casualty Clearing Station. He was gassed, and died there on the 27th of June 1916 aged 20. His effects went to his family who were also posthumously awarded his medals; the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
He will always be remembered for his sacrifice for his country.
Family memories say Robert's father George, was never the same man after Robert was killed.
George died of heart failure less than a year later. Possibly it may have also been a broken heart.
Private Robert Earnest Rix is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, Somme, France and is remembered on the following memorials:
- Bedlington Coal Company memorial in the Chapel of Rememberance at St Cuthberts Church of England Church, Bedlington.
- Also in a memorial in the forecourt of Stakeford Memorial Hall.
- Also on a Roll of Honour to The Heroic Dead originally at the West Sleekburn Middle School. The school is now closed and the plaque was moved to St Peters Church Hall.
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Pte. Leonard "Scottie" Gath 24th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers Leonard Gath served in the 21st, 23rd and 24th Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers and the 1/4th Battalion. He also served with the 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment in WW1.
Leonard died in 1979.
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Cpl. Thomas Wallace 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916) Thomas Wallace was my Great Uncle, 23 years old, born in 1893, a butcher.
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Pte. Robert Millican Goldie 21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers We udnerstand that Private Goldie was captured by the Germans and became a POW
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L/Cpl. John Humphrey Dodgson 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers My great grandad, John Dodgson, was born on 20th February 1885 at St Peter's, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne. He joined the 8th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers on 18th of August 1914 as Private 4501, and by the end of his service on 24th January 1919 he had been promoted to Lance Corporal.
He saw action in Gallipoli with his regiment who took part in the invasion of Suvla Bay on 6th of August 1915. I assume he was injured at some point during the Gallipoli campaign as he was dicharged from the 8th Battalion and redeployed to the 21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish) at the Somme in France, some time between July 1916 and December 1917. Unfortunately, we don't know any more details of his service with the 21st Battalion who he served with until he was demobbed. He returned to his home on River Street, St Peter's, Byker, Newcastle, working as stone quarry labourer and died of chronic bronchitis on 24th December 1930 at the age of 45.
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Pte. Thomas Hick Arnot 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916) Thomas Arnot was my great grandfather. He volunteered in 1914 and died, aged 37, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916. He left behind his wife Emily and eight children: Ada (15), Annie (my grandmother)(13), Thomas (11), Emily (9), Edmund (7), James (6), Mary (4) and Lily (2). They lived at 46 Cookson Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. His youngest daughter Lily, (my great aunt) died in 2014 aged 100.
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Pte. John Nicholson 21st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th June 1916) John Nicholson died from the effects of gas in the military hospital at Rouen and is buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen. He had two daughters, the youngest he saw only once as his wife was pregnant when he went to France. He got compassionate leave to see her.
He was born at Sherrif Hill, Gateshead. His brother James, died the following day, July 1st, on the attack near La Boiselle and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial as his body was never found.
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Pte. George Henry Davis 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th July 1916) My great grandfather, George Henry Davis, joined the 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers in January 1915. He attacked on 1st July 1916 the village of La Boisselle. He was wounded and transported to Number 11 Hospital in Rouen where he died and is buried in St Sever War Cemetery.
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Cpl. John Joseph Welsh 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th June 1916) After a long search for my maternal great grandfather, Joseph Welsh, I have found two newspaper clippings.
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Pte. George Henry Davis 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Jul 1916) My Great Grandfather George Davis was born in Houghton le Spring and was a hewer in the coal mines in the North East.
He moved from Houghton le Spring and went to Castletown in Sunderland in 1909ish. In January 1915 he joined up with his pals and enlisted in the Tyneside Scottish where over the next year with spent training on how to be a soldier. In 1916 they set of for France and moved up the line facing the villiage of La Boisselle where at 7.30am July 1st they went over the top and were cut down like sheaths of corn. My Great Grandfather was wounded in the attack and ended up in No. 11 Stationary British Hospital in Rouen where on the 9th July he succumbed to his wounds and was buried in St Sever War Cemetery
in Rouen. I would love to see a photo of him unfortunately not been able to come across one so far.
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Capt. Stewart Alexander White 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd July 1916)  Stewart White was my great uncle who died leaving a widow but no children. He was the Battalion Adj and was shot and wounded on 1 July 1916 and died of his wounds on 3 July.
In a letter to the War Office in early 1917, his widow related the following particulars of his death as related to her by 2Lt Spearing, a junior officer of the Regiment:
" Mr Spearing was one of Capt White's juniors and related that the morning of July 1st immediately "Advance" was sounded Capt White leaped over the parapet followed by his men. It seems he was wounded but pressed onward taking 2 lines of trenches. Meanwhile another Company - where most of the Officers fell almost at once - were about to lose their heads, when Capt White and late Capt Charlton rallied them and led them to the 3rd line. My husband was wounded in the abdomen and, I am told was carried into German Dug Out in 3rd line where he lay for three days until his death. It was impossible to restore him as he was bleeding very badly."
Capt White was an Oxford Scholar, Mathematician and school teacher. His younger brother Bruce, emigrated to Australia in 1911 and successfully raised a large family, one of whom served in the Royal Australian Air Force and was killed in WW2. Another son, Bruce also served in WW2 and was my father. I was born on 1 July 1956 and in 2016 I will celebrate my 70th Birthday, the day on which we will also pause to remember the 100th anniversary of the fatal wounding of Capt Stewart Alexander White.
Lest we forget!
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Pte. Ethelbert Samuel Gerald Elliott 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Bert Elliott was my grandfather he died when my Dad was 11 years old. He was in the 21st Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers.
He was injured in the Battle of Arras when he got a gun shot wound to his face. This sadly ended his war.
I have recently applied for some records from the Fusiliers Museum in Alnwick Castle, Northumberland. They sent me records of a war diary. I have my Grandad's service and medical records but they are not fully complete. The records office told me I was very lucky to have these as records were damaged in the bombings in London and sadly lots of records were lost.
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Fus. Robert James Storey 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers My great grandfather Robert Storey served with 21st Btn NF, 2nd Tyneside Scottish. and returned from the war unscathed and lived well into his 80s.
My grandfather served with the 26th Heavy Regt RA. saw action in the western desert, italy and returned home after the war unscathed and lived into his 80s.
I myself served over 23 years finishing my time as Sgt Major of Northumberland Pioneers seeing action in the same western desert as my grandfather.
Stephen Alexander Wardlaw
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Pte. William Irwin Potts 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916) William Potts is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial. He was 42 years old at the time of his death.
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Pte. R. Davis 21st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers A Card of Honour from the 34th Div was awarded to 829, Pte R. Davis 21st Northumberland Fusiliers, Worded:
"Your Brigadier has reported that on 9th-14th of April 1917 near Arras you showed conspicuous gallantry while carrying out your duties as runner, and were a splendid example to others, and I hereby award you a Card of Honour. Card No 156"
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2nd Lt. Cyril Ramshaw Bulman 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Cyril Bulman was my Great Uncle. he enlisted on 2/9/1914 in the General Services Cavalry and went to Tidworth, 11th Reserve Cavalry Regiment as a Private. After training he was transferred to 1st Battalion 3rd Hants Regiment and posted to France 27/7/1915. He was promoted Lance Corporal 16/10/1915, went to Cadet School 2/2/1916 and was commissioned 2nd Lt. 19/3/1916 then transferred to 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was wounded 4/6/1916 by shellfire at La Boiselle and blinded, taken to Rouen No2 Red Cross Hospital, eventually he was discharged after Medical Assessment.
After unsuccessfully trying chicken farming in Redcar he was trained by St Dunstan's as a Masseur and Physiotherapist and had a successful private practice in Beckenham, Kent. He died on 28/6/1981
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2/Lt. Nathan White 29th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916) Nathan White, a Second Lieutenant, served with the 29th and 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers and died age 31 on the 1st July 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Thiepval Memorial. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals shows his mother as next of kin.
Nathan was born in Jarrow 1885, son of Martha and the late Joseph White. In the 1911 census the family is living at Palmers Gasworks where Nathan(26) is the manager. His widowed mother Martha(73) and his two sisters, Lilian(32) a dressmaker and Dora(30). Nephew Nathan Keau(12) and Niece Edna Keau(9) complete the family.
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Pte. William Clark 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916) William Clark was aged 22 when he died on 1st July 1916 whilsts erving with the 21st Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers.
Born in Jarrow he was the s on of William and Mary Ann Clark (nee Welsh). The 1911 census records him as William Clark age 17 House Painter and Decorator is with his parents William and Mary Ann Clark and family at Campbell Park Road, Hebburn. He enlisted in Newcastle.
William has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
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Pte. John James Nurse 21st Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Sep 1917) John James Nurse, Private 27/540 enlisted at Newcastle and served in the 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He died, age 43, on the 10th September 1917 and is buried in at Hargicourt British Cemetery.
He was married to Ellen Nurse nee McGuiness of 16 Glen Street, Hebburn New Town. The 1911 census shows the family living at 26 William Street, Hebburn consisting of:
James Nurse, age 62, copper worker, born in Weybourne, Norfolk.
Sarah Nurse, age 56, born in Jarrow.
John James, age 34, general labourer, born in Jarrow.
Hugh age 22, Platers helper in shipyard, born in Jarrow
Robert, age 20, carpenters labourer in shipyard, born in Jarrow.
Joseph, age 26, born in Hebburn and Peter, age 7, school, born in Hebburn.
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Pte. Charles Tonkinson Pyle 21st Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Sep1916) My great grandfather, Private Charles T Pyle served with 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers and is buried (aged 39) in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension, remembered with honour.
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