|
|
|
1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) were in Kinsale when war broke out, serving with 17th Brigade, 6th Division. They returned to England and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. On the 14th of October 1915 17th Brigade transferred to 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at
The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.
29th July 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers ordered back to barracks 1st Royal Fusiliers were engaged in training at Moore Park when an order suddenly arrived at 10.30pm to strike camp and return to the barracks at Kinsale.
30th July 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers return to Kinsale 1st Royal Fusiliers left Moore Park to return to the barracks at Kinsale entraining at Fermoy Station. The Band pet "Doody" was tragically killed in a motor accident on the way to the station. an hour after arriving at Kinsale, parties were sent out with three days rations to the coast to stop gunrunning, the largest of which was sent to the Old Head of Kinsale.
4th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers mobilized 1st Royal Fusiliers at the barracks at Kinsale, Ireland received the order to mobilize at 6pm.
4th Aug 1914 Orders
8th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers at Kinsale Sixty men and three Officers of the 1st Royal Fusiliers were detailed to go out Horse-Hunting from the barracks at Kinsale. They returned with about 50 horses and unit was ready to depart.
13th Aug 1914 Ready to entrain The 1st Royal Fusiliers were recalled to the barracks at Kinsale in the middle of a route march, but no trains were available to transport them to Cork.
14th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers leave Kinsale Reveille was called at 3am but it wasn't until 1pm that 1st Royal Fusiliers departed from the barracks at Kinsale, arriving in Cork at 3pm. They marched from the station to the Cattle Market where they rested for the night.
15th Aug 1914 On the Move
15th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers embark at Cork The 1st Royal Fusiliers paraded in the Cattle Market, Cork, receiving reserve rations. Embarcation orders arrived at 5pm and the Battalion paraded at 9.30pm then marched to the docks to board the Empress of Ireland, with crowds watching their departure. They sailed at 2am the following morning.
15th Aug 1914 On the Move
16th Aug 1914 On the Move The 1st Royal Fusiliers sailed at 2am from Cork aboard the Empress of Ireland. They sailed round the Irish Coast by Waterford then crossed to Holyhead arriving at 5pm where they entrained for an unknown destination.
17th Aug 1914 On the Move The 1st Royal Fusiliers arrived at Cambridge by train from Holyhead and marched across town to the camp. Crowds of locals came out to watch.
18th Aug 1914 Training The 1st Royal Fusiliers began Divisional Training at Cambridge with a route march and manoevres, which were hampered by the intense heat.
18th Aug 1914 Training
31st Aug 1914 On the March
7th Sep 1914 Preparations
8th Sep 1914 Move
9th Sep 1914 On the Move
10th Sep 1914 On the Move
11th Sep 1914 On the Move
12th Sep 1914 On the Move
12th Sep 1914 On the Move
13th Sep 1914 On the Move
14th Sep 1914 On the Move
14th Sep 1914 Orders
15th Sep 1914 On the March
15th Sep 1914 Orders
16th Sep 1914 On the March
17th Sep 1914 On the March
18th Sep 1914 In Billets
19th Sep 1914 On the March
19th Sep 1914 Reliefs
20th Sep 1914 Orders
20th Sep 1914 In Action
21st Sep 1914 Reliefs
21st Sep 1914 Reliefs
22nd Sep 1914 In Action
22nd Sep 1914 Reliefs
23rd Sep 1914 Patrols
24th Sep 1914 Trench Raid
25th Sep 1914 Line Reinforced
26th Sep 1914 Quiet
27th Sep 1914 Patrols Ordered
28th Sep 1914 Snipers Active
29th Sep 1914 Recconaissance
30th Sep 1914 Quiet Day
2nd Oct 1914 Reliefs
6th Oct 1914 Outflanking Manoeuver
10th Oct 1914 On the Move
12th Oct 1914 Enemy Encountered
13th Oct 1914 In Action
14th Oct 1914 Rescue
15th Oct 1914 Advance
17th Oct 1914 Advance
18th Oct 1914 Advance
19th Oct 1914 Digging In
20th Oct 1914 In Action
20th Oct 1914 Attack
30th Oct 1914 Ammunition Short
1st Jan 1915 Working Parties
6th Feb 1915 Instruction
3rd Apr 1915 Territorials Under Instruction
4th Apr 1915 Territorials Under Instruction
8th Jun 1915 New CO
15th of July 1915 Reliefs 
8th of September 1915 Reliefs
12th of September 1915 Reliefs
5th Oct 1915 Trench Work
6th of October 1915 Reliefs
14th Oct 1915 Trench Work
16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme
21st Oct 1915 Instruction
23rd Oct 1915 Instruction
25th Oct 1915 Instruction
3rd Nov 1915 Reliefs
10th Nov 1915 Registration
25th Nov 1915 On the March
1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets
11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment
30th Dec 1915 Inspection
3rd Jan 1916 Route March
10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens
13th Jan 1916 Reliefs
5th Feb 1916 Reliefs
9th February 1916 Call Ups
10th Feb 1916 Reliefs
11th Feb 1916 Reliefs
11th Feb 1916 Reliefs Complete
11th Apr 1916 Reliefs
17th Apr 1916 Reliefs
23rd Apr 1916 Easter
29th Apr 1916 Reliefs
1st May 1916 Measles
5th May 1916 Reliefs
17th May 1916 Reliefs
25th May 1916 Reliefs
10th Jun 1916 Reliefs
13th Jul 1916 Reliefs
18th Aug 1916 Attack Made
21st Aug 1916 Attack Made
28th Aug 1916 Congratulations
1st Sep 1916 Attacks Made
2nd Sep 1916 Line Held
3rd Sep 1916 Attacks Made
4th Sep 1916 Reliefs
5th Sep 1916 Relief Complete
6th Sep 1916 Reliefs
18th Oct 1916 Reliefs
22nd October 1916 Relief Table
2nd Nov 1916 Reliefs
10th Nov 1916 Reliefs
16th Nov 1916 Reliefs
23rd Nov 1916 Quiet
28th Nov 1916 Reliefs
3rd Dec 1916 Reliefs
10th Dec 1916 Reliefs
16th Dec 1916 Reliefs
22nd Dec 1916 Reliefs
28th Dec 1916 Reliefs
3rd Jan 1917 Reliefs
8th Jan 1917 Reliefs
14th Jan 1917 Attack Made
16th Jan 1917 Reliefs
23rd Jan 1917 Reliefs
30th Jan 1917 Reliefs
6th Feb 1917 Shelling
4th Mar 1917 Relief Complete
9th Mar 1917 Snow
15th Mar 1917 Reliefs
27th Mar 1917 Reliefs
30th Mar 1917 Reliefs
31st July 1917 In Action
2nd Aug 1917 Message of Congratulation
8th Aug 1917 Reliefs
19th August 1917 Operational Order 125
23rd Aug 1917 Reliefs
5th Nov 1917 Training
18th Dec 1917 Reliefs
28th Dec 1917 Reliefs Completed
21st Jan 1918 Reliefs
15th Feb 1918 Reliefs Completed
21st Mar 1918 In Action
26th Mar 1918 Withdrawal
29th Mar 1918 Attack
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
|
| Want to know more about 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers? There are:5374 items tagged 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers 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 with1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers during the Great War 1914-1918. - Ansell George. Cpl. (d.21st March 1918)
- Burchell Jonathan. Pte. (d.24th Sep 1915)
- Charteris Ernest. Pte. (d.7th July 1917)
- Farrington Charles. Pte. (d.27th Sep 1914)
- Gearey Frederick Thomas . Pte. (d.15th September 1916)
- Goodhand George. Cpl.
- Grace William Sanders. Pte.
- Green William Charles. Pte. (d.30th Aug 1915)
- Hayden Military Medal Frederick Henry. Sjt.
- Hayes Claude Patrick Julian. Capt. (d.9th Aug 1916)
- Jeffery MID Arthur Victor.
- Jeffery MID Arthur Victor. Sgt.
- Jeffrey Horace James. Pte. (d.4th November 1918)
- Jennings George William. Pte. (d.11th August 1917)
- Joel MM. Joseph Henry. Sgt.
- Muckell Charles William. Pte. (d.5th April 1918)
- Newton Percy Holyoake Neller. Rfmn. (d.22nd Mar 1915)
- Page Alfred Charles. Sgt. (d.16th June 1917)
- Wakefield George Fredrick . L/Cpl. (d.1st May 1915)
- Weedon DCM/ William Arthur. A/Sgt.
- White Leonard Gilbert. Fus. (d.16th Nov 1918)
- Wright James. Pte.
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, Royal Fusiliers from other sources.
|
|
The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.
- 1st of September 2024 marks 25 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time.
|
Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our
Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text.
|
Looking for help with Family History Research?
Please see Family History FAQ's
Please note: We are unable to provide individual research.
|
|
Can you help?
The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors.
If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web.
If you enjoy this site
please consider making a donation.
Announcements
- 19th Nov 2024
Please note we currently have a massive backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than
264989 your submission is still in the queue, please do not resubmit.
Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to the Great War. If you have any unwanted
photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted.
|
World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery
Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a
Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.
|
|
|
Sgt. Alfred Charles Page 1st (City of London) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th June 1917) Alf Page was born St Pancras, London. He was my great uncle, the brother of my grandfather. He originally joined the army in 1892, serving in the York and Lancaster Regiment. Alf was based in Colchester, Essex where he met his wife Alice. He rejoined the army in 1915 when he was living back in St Pancras, this time serving with the 1st Battalion (City of London), Royal Fusiliers.
He died on 16th June 1917, having been gravely wounded. His name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial as Serjeant, A. C. Page.
|
Capt. Claude Patrick Julian "Pat" Hayes 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.9th Aug 1916) Captain Claude Patrick Julian Hayes served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed on the 9th August 1916. He is buried in Bray Military Cemetery, Bray sur Somme, France.
|
L/Cpl. George Fredrick Wakefield 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.1st May 1915) George Wakefield was killed in action in Flanders.
|
Pte. James Wright 24th Btn. Royal Fusiliers James Wright served with 24th Royal Fusiliers in the Great War. He also served with the 1st, 2nd and 12th Royal Fusiliers. He also served with the Canadian Army during WW2.
|
Pte. William Sanders Grace 2/4th Btn. East Kent Regiment Details of William Grace's service are unknown except for his medal records, but like many men Billie did not discuss his time much. Photos indicate he served in the Signal Corps and was a certified instructor in signals and given rank of Lance Corporal. He was injured with a piece of shrapnel in his foot which he carried for the remainder of his life. In 1939, aged just 42, he died from septicaemia as the piece of shrapnel moved and caused blood poisoning. He left a wife a son of 7 years.
His souvenirs from the war include an Iron Cross (removed from a dead German officer) and his RF cap badge. The only story of the war that was passed on was how he lost he signet ring in the trenches before an advance. After a retreat he found himself back in the same place in the same trench and found his signet ring.
|
Pte. Frederick Thomas Gearey 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.15th September 1916) Private Frederick Thomas Gearey served with the 1st (City of London) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers London Regiment (service no.5014). He was killed in action on 15th September 1916 in France and Flanders and is buried in Combles Communal Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com
|
Pte. George William Jennings 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.11th August 1917) George Jennings was one of four brothers who served during the Great War. He served with the 1st & 2nd Btns. Royal Fusiliers. Only two of the brothers returned home in 1918, both George and his brother Percy died during the Battle of Passchendaele the Third Battle of Ypres. Georges body was never recovered, probably a victim of the Flanders mud during this terrible battle.
|
Pte. William Charles Green 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.30th Aug 1915) William Green died on 30th August 1915 aged 29 while serving his country. He is buried in the Hop Store Cemetery at Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium. He was my great uncle.
|
Pte. Charles Farrington 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1914) Charles Farrington was born Charles Parringon in East Dulwich, Surrey in 1889. At that time his family, consisting of his father Charles, mother Edith, and three sisters Harriet, Elizabeth and Ellen lived at 9 Landals Road, E. Dulwich. At some point the family name became Farrington and this is the name he enlisted under.
My grandmother recalled that he joined the army at about age 15 and was a drummer boy for a while.
His records show that he served in India with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. However, in 1914 we believe he was stationed in Kinsale, Ireland with the 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.
The 1st Battalion was called into service almost immediately, and was in France by September 1914. Charles lost his life on 27th of September 1914 at Soupier, France.
He is commemorated on a memorial monument at La-Ferte-Sous-Jouarre, France. No body was ever found.
Charles was never married and to my knowledge had no offspring. In his will he left all his belongings, pay and gratuities to his sister Ellen. She took possession of his belongings and medals in London in 1915.
|
Pte. Charles William Muckell 1st (London) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.5th April 1918) Charles Muckell was baptised on the 25th of Sep 1889 at Battersea, St Saviour, Wandsworth in London, only child of Charles Muckell and Alice Mary Atterton. He enlsited with the Cyclist Battalion, Sussex Regiment. Whilst serving with the 1st London Battalion, Royal Fusiliers he was killed in action on 5th of Apr 1918.
Charles is my 3rd cousin twice removed. We can never do enough to honour our fallen heroes. With him being the only child of grieving parents, I want him to be remembered for his ultimate sacrifice.
|
Sgt. Joseph Henry Joel MM. 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers  Joseph Joel served with the 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers during the Great War. My Grandfather appears to have been in various battalions of The Royal Fusiliers over the years.
He was in the1st Battalion for Tibet in 1903-4 and by 1911, he was definitely in the 2nd Battalion in India for the 1911 Census.
He got married to my Grandmother in Colchester on 1 Dec 1914, so it looks like he returned to England earlier than the rest of the 2nd Battalion
His medal card shows that his first theatre of war was France and he arrived there 1st June 1915. (The dates indicate that he was probably in 8th Battalion after he returned from India) which is backed up by his record card which shows a discharge date of 5th Dec 1918 as a Sgt and his unit is showing as 8/R. Fus
My Grandfather was awarded the MM. Whilst we have found the entry in the London Gazette where the MM was awarded, we haven't yet found the citation.
It appears in the London Gazette dated 19th March 1918 (published on 15th March 1918). A very brief entry on page 3465. If anyone could help me track down the corresponding citation I would be hugely indebted to you.
|
A/Sgt. William Arthur Weedon DCM/ 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers Regiment Billy Weedon was 19 years of age and on manoeuvres with the 1st Royal Fusiliers in Fermoy in Ireland when war was announced. He wrote a manuscript which I have inherited detailing incidents with the 1st Royal Fusiliers in France and Belgium from 9th September 1914 to 23rd August 1916.
On 23rd August 1916 during the Battle of Guillemont he was severely injured and was returned to England and to Exeter Hospital where he had his right leg and arm amputated.
In his manuscript he mentions several individuals including officers and fellow colleagues.
Billy died on 29th October 1969 in Braishfield, Nr. Romsey, Hampshire.
|
Rfmn. Percy Holyoake Neller Newton 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.22nd Mar 1915) Percy Holyoake Neller Newton was born on 12 July 1895 at Islington, Middlesex in 1904. His father died in an accident and in 1906 Percy was admitted to the Orphan Working School and Alexandra Orphanage (OWS) at Haverstock Hill in North London (now the Royal Alexandra and Albert School at Reigate in Surrey). He left OWS and in 1911 was a Baker's Assistant in Willesden Green. At the outbreak of WW1 Percy enlisted, as a Rifleman, into 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Soon after, he was transferred to 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own). He was despatched to serve in France and Flanders on or around the 27th of November 1914. He died, aged 19, on 22nd of March 1915 and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
|
Sgt. Arthur Victor Jeffery MID 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers My grandfather, Arthur Jeffery was a regular based in Kinsale, Ireland in 1914 were he met my grandmother. He served in France until 1916 when he was wounded by bullet and bayonet. He served in RASC there after.
|
Pte. Jonathan Burchell 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.24th Sep 1915) Jonathan Burchell is my husband's great uncle. He was born at Peckham, the son of William and Jane Burchell. According to the 1911 census he was a polisher. He married Margaret Scierloh in 1911 and they had 2 daughters, Elizabeth and Annie (who died as a baby). Margaret remarried in 1919 to a William Baldwin but I do not know what happened after that. He was killed in action and buried in the New Irish Farm Cemetery, North East of Ypres in Belgium.
|
Fus. Leonard Gilbert White 1st Batn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th Nov 1918) Leonard White had been a milkman in Shoreham Sussex, a bachelor aged 27, he enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers. In the action at Cambrai, Leonard was
wounded in the head, only a few days before the Armistice. He was conveyed
to hospital in Liverpool, he died of blood poisoning on 16 Nov 1918.
He is buried in Mill Lane Cemetary in Shoreham-By-Sea. He is listed
on the Town War Memorial. His Memorial Plaque has come down to me a
great Nephew, who he never knew.
|
Arthur Victor Jeffery MID 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers My Grandfather, Arthur Victor Jeffery, was a regular NCO in the Royal Fusiliers pre 1914, saw service in India, the 1st Battalion was stationed in Kinsale
Co Cork, were he met my Grandmother Mary Madden. The photo is taken in Kinsale. He survived WW1, mentioned in dispatches, wounded by bullet and bayonet, he was transferred to the RASC. Like many WW1 soldiers he had what we now call traumatic shock, and received a pension.
|
Cpl. George Ansell 1st Btn. Royal London Fusiliers (d.21st March 1918) George Ansell joined the 1/19th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and trained at St Albans, before going to France and joining the 1st Btn. He was killed on the 21st of March 1918 fighting with a company of the 2/2 Btn Royal London Fusiliers at Travesty, France. His c/o Capt. Harper wrote a citation recording his bravery before his death. Stating that George had killed many advancing enemy before being shot by a sniper. Unfortunately, there is no record on the Roll of Honour of the 2/2 Btn as he was lent from the 1st Btn.I remember a photo of him at my grandmother's before WW2, when at the age of 5yrs. Sadly his photo was lost during the war. Are there any photos of the 1/19th TA Regt who did their training at St Albans, North London in 1914 before they went to France in March 1915?
|
Recomended Reading.Available at discounted prices.
|
|
|
Site Home
Help & FAQs
