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2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers
2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers were in in Tientsin, China when war was declared in August 1914. On the 23rd of September they landed at Lao Shan Bay and were engaged in operations against the German territory of Tsingtao. They moved to Hong Kong and embarked for England on the
4th of December, landing at Plymouth on the 12th of January 1915. They joined 87th Brigade, 29th Division. at Rugby. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 17th of March, sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles, arriving on the 15th of March and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.
Feb 1915 Training
Mar 1915 Training
12th Mar 1915 Inspection
17th Mar 1915 On the Move
24th Mar 1915 On the Move
26th Mar 1915 On the Move
28th Mar 1915 On the Move
29th Mar 1915 Accomodation
30th Mar 1915 Into Billets
31st Mar 1915 Training
1st Apr 1915 Orders Issued
2nd Apr 1915 Orders Issued
3rd Apr 1915 Preparations
6th Apr 1915 Inspection
7th Apr 1915 On the Move
9th Apr 1915 Embarkation
10th Apr 1915 Embarkation
19th Apr 1915 Orders
20th Apr 1915 Orders
21st Apr 1915 Conference
22nd Apr 1915 Preparations
23rd Apr 1915 Transports Sail
24th Apr 1915 At Sea
25th Apr 1915 Landing
27th Apr 1915 Holding the Line
28th Apr 1915 Ground Gained
6th May 1915 In Action
7th May 1915 In Action
8th May 1915 Advance
11th Jun 1915 In Support
18th Jun 1915 In Action
19th Jun 1915 In Action
27th Jun 1915 Gurkha Bluff
28th Jun 1915 Attack Made
17th Aug 1915 On the Move
19th Aug 1915 Water Scarce
19th Aug 1915 On the Move
21st Aug 1915 Attack Made
24th Sep 1915 On the Move
16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme
23rd Oct 1915 Trench Work
9th Nov 1915 Reliefs
24th Nov 1915 Reliefs
1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets
11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment
10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens
9th February 1916 Call Ups
1st March 1916 Reliefs
5th March 1916 Musketry
7th March 1916 Training
8th March 1916 On the Move
9th March 1916 On the Move
15th March 1916 On the Move
16th March 1916 On the Move
18th March 1916 On the Move
19th March 1916 Arrival
20th March 1915 Route March
20th March 1916 Route March
24th March 1916 Training
29th March 1916 Training
30th March 1916 On the March
31st March 1916 Supply Difficulies
1st Apr 1916 Orders Received
2nd Apr 1916 On the March 
3rd Apr 1916 Relief Completed
4th Apr 1916 Under Fire
24th Jan 1917 Orders
27th Jan 1917 In Action
24th April 1917 Reliefs
17th May 1917 Report
22nd Mar 1918 Reliefs
5th May 1918 Raid Made
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 with2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers during the Great War 1914-1918. - Akerman MM. John Raymond. L/Cpl.
- Cook Edmund David. Pte. (d.6th Apr 1916)
- Cook Joseph Herbert. Pte.
- D'alton Edward. Pte. (d.1st July 1916)
- Davies George Price. 2nd Lt. (d.29th Sep 1918)
- Davies William. Capt. (d.11th April 1918)
- Earl Robert Henry. Pte. (d.13 April 1917)
- Eccleston Thomas Edward. Pte. (d.20th Aug 1918)
- Eccleston Thomas Edward. Pte. (d.20th August 1918)
- Ede Charles William. L/Cpl. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Ellis George Robert. Pte.
- Evans Theophilus James. Pte. (d.11th Apr 1918)
- Farmer William Thomas. Pte. (d.13th Aug 1915)
- Flute Walter Reginald Herbert. Pte. (d.11th Apr 1918)
- Griffiths DCM David Idwal. Pte. (d.3rd October 1918)
- Hales Albert Edward. Pte. (d.13th August 1915)
- Hargreaves Frank. Pte (d.11th April 1918)
- Johnson Herbert William. (d.23rd April 1917 )
- Langley Henry George. Pte.
- Lock Albert. Pte.
- Marchant George Thomas. CSM. (d.19th May 1917)
- Morgan Idris Aneurin. Capt. (d.17th April 1918)
- Nunn Frederick Walter. Sgt. (d.13th Aug 1915)
- Preston Herbert. L/Cpl.
- Scholes William. Pte. (d.10th Aug 1918)
- Scott MM. Frederick. Sgt.
- Shepherd John. Pte. (d.21st Nov 1917)
- Spinks DCM Alfred Richard. L/Cpl. (d.13th July 1916)
- White VC. Albert. Sgt. (d.19th May 1917)
- Williams DCM, MM. Daniel . Pte.
- Wood John Norris. Pte. (d.21st Aug 1916)
- Young William James. (d.1st 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 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers from other sources.
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Sgt. Albert White VC. 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.19th May 1917) Albert White was killed in action on the 19th of May 1917, aged 23. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. White, of 58 Lamb St., Liverpool.
An extract from The London Gazette, dated 27th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Realising during an attack that one of the enemy's machine guns, which had previously been located, would probably hold up the whole advance of his Company, Serjt. White, without the slightest hesitation and regardless of all personal danger, dashed ahead of his Company to capture the gun. When within a few yards of the gun he fell riddled with bullets, having thus willingly sacrificed his life in order that he might secure the success of the operations and the welfare of his comrades."
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Pte. John Shepherd 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.21st Nov 1917) John Shepherd my Great Grandfather was a Coal Miner before enlisting. He was married with 7 children, 1 being my Grandmother. He was shot by a sniper 2 days after his 41st birthday, his body was not recovered. He is remembered on Panel 5 of the Cambrai Memorial Louverval.
He served with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers and was killed by a sniper on the 21st November 1917.
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2nd Lt. George Price Davies 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.29th Sep 1918) George Davies of Pembroke Dock was killed in the Fifth Battle of Ypres on 29th of September 1918 and is buried at Zandvoorte British Cemetery in Belgium. A Memorial is also located at Llanion Cemetery in Pembroke Dock. His parents were James and Louisa Davies of 95 Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock.
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Pte. Theophilus James Evans 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.11th Apr 1918) Theophilus Evans was born in 1900 to Mr. D.J. and Mrs. E.A. Evans
He died during the German spring offensive of 1918. His name is remembered with honour among the missing on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is also listed in the Brecon Cathedral WW1 War memorial book. He was awarded two of the three WW1 medals.
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L/Cpl. John Raymond Akerman MM. Machine Gun Corps John Akerman was refused entry at Oxford & Bucks Regiment because he was too young. He went to Brecon and joined the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers at 17 years of age. He was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.
John was awarded the Military Medal for his actions on 20th of November 1917. The Citation reads: 'Near Marcony on 20th of November 1917 when his Company was checked by various parties of the enemy with machine guns in ammunition pits. At once and on his own initiative rushed his Lewis gun forward through heavy, heavy fire, getting around to the flank from where he brought well aimed fire on to their pits greatly assisting in the capture of them. He showed conspicuous gallantry throughout the advance.'
He was captured in February 1918 in France and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner working in the coal mines in Germany.
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Capt. Idris Aneurin Morgan 11th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.17th April 1918) Idris Morgan was attached to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers when he was killed.
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L/Cpl. Charles William Ede 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.1st Jul 1916) Charles William Ede was a member of a large family. His mother had 13 children of whom only 8 survived childhood.
He was born in 1891 between April and June (his official registration of birth is filed in year quarters.) So far it has not been possible to find a record of an exact date of birth (or a Christening which was certainly the usual practice for that family).
His life story is not fully known except that he was a porter in the retail boot trade at the age of 19.
He died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Y Ravine Cemetery Beaumont Hamel, France. His effects and pay were sent to his father, Charles.
It is not known why he joined this particular Regiment, The South Wales Borderers when he was from London. Various of his family members were saddlers and carters and a Cavalry or Artillery Regiment may have been a more obvious choice.
However, that is a matter of serendipity and pride as the descendant writing this and researching his and her family tree came unexpectedly to live in Monmouthshire and has been there for a lifetime.
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Pte. Henry George Langley 6th Btn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry I have in my possession the Victory Medal of Henry Langley. After research, it is established that he was from Whitchurch in Shropshire.
He also served in the 2nd Battalion of the South Wales Borderers.
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Pte. Edward D'alton 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.1st July 1916) My uncle Edward D'alton was killed in action at the Somme on 1st July 1916. He was originally from Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) County Dublin. He was my mother's brother. Her name was Christina. His parents names were Patrick and Catherine D'alton. I would love to have some background on Edward if possible.
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L/Cpl. Herbert Preston 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers My grandfather, Herbert Preston, was born in Glascoed, North Monmouthshire, Wales on 23rd April 1890. He is listed on the 1911 Return of Military Personnel aged 21 as a Lance Corporal of the South Wales Borderers. I believe that he was stationed at the Artillery Barracks in Pretoria South Africa. I do not know the date he enlisted but his occupation is listed as a miner.
According to the Medal Card, Herbert was in the Royal Field Artillery and served in France from 30th December 1915. He was commissioned as an officer, 2nd Lieutenant on 20th October 1917.
Herbert was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1915 Star and completed his service on 23rd May 1920.
Herbert married in South Africa in 1922 and died in 1937
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Pte. Thomas Edward Eccleston 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.20th August 1918) Thomas Eccleston was born in Wolverhampton on 17th May 1893. His father Alfred and mother Anne christened him at St Anne's Parish. Thomas was working in Coppice colliery known as the Fair Lady before enlisting. He was married in December 1914 to Emily Agnes Kathleen Horton.
When he enlisted he was in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (23535) before being transfered to the South Wales Borderers (27655). I am lead to believe he had several near misses, one being his troop ship being torpedoed.
He was killed in action on 20th August 1918 at Outtensteene Ridge. Thomas is buried in France and is commemorated on the Willenhall Memorial under the name `Eccleshall'. His wife remarried and left Heath for the Wirral. By the time the memorial was built in 1927 the locals couldn't remember Thomas's surname, hence the mistake. He left a daughter Dorothy and a son Frank Thomas George. I am his great grandson.
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William James Young 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.1st July 1916) Jim Young was the only brother of Nellie Stephenson (nee Young)
and fought in the Boer War and probably saw action in Egypt, China and possibly even Gallipoli. He was born in 1880 at Wellingborough and in later life lived in Cardiff where his family moved to in the 1890s.
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Pte. William Thomas Farmer 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.13th Aug 1915) William Farmer was a member of the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. He died at the age of 18 aboard the Royal Edward on the way to Gallipoli, Turkey.
According to authors James Wise and Scott Baron, the Royal Edward's death toll was 935 and was high because the ship had just completed a boat drill and the majority of the men were below decks re-stowing their equipment. Since William never saw action in WWI, he did not receive a war medal for his service.
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Pte. Thomas Edward Eccleston 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.20th Aug 1918) Thomas Edward Eccleston born 17th May 1893 at Willenenhall, Wolverhampton, his father's name Alfred and mother Anne. Thomas enlisted in the DCLI in 1915 in Walsall, no. 52535 or 52565 (I can't make out on his medal card). Somewhere he transfered to the South Wales Borderers, no. 27655. He had several near misses before being killed in action in the battle for Outtersteene Ridge. He left his wife, Emily Agnes Kathleen, his daughter Dorothy and son Frank Thomas George, who he never met. He is buried in Baileul Outtersteene Communal Cemetery and his name is on the memorials of Willenhall and at Heyes Heath under the name Eccleshall (a misprint of Eccleston).
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Pte. Albert Edward Hales 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.13th August 1915) Albert Hales was onboard the troopship Royal Edward which was torpedoed by the German U Boat UB14. Of the 1500 plus on board, over 900 people lost their lives on Friday 13th August 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
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Pte. Joseph Herbert Cook 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers I have call up papers for Joe Cook, from the recruiting office sworn in Birkenhead court on 8/9/1917 and note on form b104-81 informing his mum he was wounded and gassed in France 30/9/1918. I would
like more info if possible.
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Capt. William Davies 2nd Battalion South Wales Borders (d.11th April 1918) William Davies served as a Captain in the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers. He was born in 1889 (place unknown). He died on the 11th of April 1918 and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. His parents were David William Davies and Margaret.
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Pte. John Norris Wood 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.21st Aug 1916) John Norris Wood is my great great uncle (my mother's gran's brother). He died in Ypres aged 30 and is buried in White House Cemetery, St. Jean-Les-Ypres. That's all we know.
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Pte. George Robert Ellis 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers My grandfather, George Robert Ellis, served his country throughout the Boer War with the North Hants Regiment, and saw action in at least six major battles as the clasps on his campaign medals testify.
He then enlisted into the Second Battalion of the South Wales Borderers on 5th Sept 1914. He landed as part of the 87th Brigade of the 29th Division at Helles Gallipoli in April 1915. After being withdrawn from Gallipoli he then fought on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
He was discharged from the Army in Sept 1917 due to sickness as a result of battle injuries. He never rose above the rank of private.
At the outset of WWII he volunteered again even though he was over 60. He was given a tin hat and became an air raid warden for the duration. He earned six medals in all; two from the Boer War, three from WWI and one from WWII. In addition he was also awarded a Silver War Badge in WWI. One of the unsung heroes who survived, and never ever talked about his military service. I have in my possession his medals and his service pocket watch issued to him in Sept 1914. This watch is still ticking away, and I wind it every evening in his memory.
He shall grow not old as we who are left grow old, age shall not weary him nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in the morning, I remember him. God rest his soul.
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Sgt. Frederick Walter Nunn 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.13th Aug 1915) I was brought up in the same house that had been occupied by my grand parents and their family of 4 sons and a daughter.
One of them was my father Percy Nunn who was a Sgt in the Royal Fusiliers in the 1914-18 war.
His three brothers, Ernest a private in the AIF, Albert a Corporal in the Grenadier Guards, and Frederick Nunn, a Sgt. in the South Wales Borderers were all killed in the Gallipoli Campaign.
Frederick is listed in a book "Fastest to Canada" the story of how the ship HMT Royal Edward became the first troop ship to be torpedoed in the Aegean Sea. It had on board 53 men of the South Wales Borderers and it is told in our family history that Fred saved four men before drowning himself. The ship had 1600 on board and 600 were lost at sea.
It was ironic that my father was also at Avonmouth Docks on the same morning as brother Fred, but they did not meet and boarded separate ships.
That was on 29th July and The Royal Edward was struck on the 13th August 1915.
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