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16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment
16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Queen's Hall, 58 Buckingham Gate, Westminster. When war broke out in August 1914, they were part of the 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. They were mobilised and moved to the Hemel Hempstead area, being billetted in Leverstock Green in the late summer and early autumn of 1914, where they are commemorated with a stained glass window in the local church. They proceeded to France on the 3rd of November 1914, landing at Le Havre to join 18th Brigade, 6th Division. On the 10th of February 1916 they transferred to the newly reformed 169th Brigade, 56th (London) Division which concentrated in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.
Sep 1914 Training 
Men of 16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment man a field kitchen during training in Saffron Walden, a group of children look on. IWM (Q 53755)
7th Nov 1914 A Young Solider at the Front
2nd Dec 1914 In the Trenches
4th Dec 1914 Snipers Active
25th Dec 1914 Conversations
3rd Feb 1915 It Warms up Fine
28th Apr 1915 Reliefs 
20th May 1915 Instruction
21st May 1915 Instruction
5th July 1915 Operational Order No.19.
29th July 1915 Operation Order No.21.
20th Aug 1915 Trenches Recaptured
3rd Sep 1915 Some Fine Work
6th Oct 1915 Reliefs
7th Oct 1915 In Billets
8th Oct 1915 Reserve
11th Oct 1915 In Support
12th Oct 1915 In Support
14th Oct 1915 Shelling
15th Oct 1915 Shelling
16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme
16th Oct 1915 Sniping
17th Oct 1915 Reliefs
21st Oct 1915 Shelling
22nd Oct 1915 Happier than at Home
22nd Oct 1915 Patrol
23rd Oct 1915 Reliefs
24th Oct 1915 In Billets
25th Oct 1915 On the March
26th Oct 1915 Working Parties
29th Oct 1915 Reliefs
30th Oct 1915 Under Shellfire
16th November 1915 Orders Received to Move
1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets
11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment
10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens
19th Jan 1916 Relief Complete
30th Jan 1916 Reliefs
5th Feb 1915 Town under Shellfire
9th February 1916 Call Ups
20th Mar 1916 Difficult Conditions
23rd May 1916 Operations
10th Sep 1916 In Action
1st Apr 1917 Reliefs
2nd Apr 1917 Relief Complete
5th September 1917 Reliefs
30th Nov 1917 Enemy Attack The German plan was simply to cut of the neck of the salient by attacking on each side, with the strongest blow to come on the southern side. The blow fell at 7.30am on the 30th November, and was devastatingly fast and effective. By 9am, the Germans had penetrated almost 3 miles towards Havrincourt Wood. Byng's Third Army faced disaster, with the real prospect of several divisions being cut off in the trap. The first attack fell on the 55th (West Lancashire) and 12th (Eastern) Division on the south-eastern side of the salient. The Germans climbed the slope to re-take Lateau Wood, pushed up the complex of shallow ravines south of Banteux, moved through Villers Guislain and past Gouzeaucourt. Amongst the troops defending the artillery positions at Gouzeaucourt were the 11th United States Engineer Company. The direction of the assault was across British divisional boundaries, and the command structure rapidly broke down as the troops became mixed up.
Three German divisions attacked to the north, supported by an intense Phosgene barrage, intending to cut the Bapaume-Cambrai road near Anneux Chapel. They were repulsed by the machine gun barrage of the 47th (London), 2nd and 56th (London) Divisions, who had relieved the 36th and 40th. No Germans reached the road. Fierce fighting continued in the southern area for Gonnelieu, Les Rues Vertes and Masnieres
8th Aug 1918 Mustard Gas
28th Aug 1918 In Action
4th Nov 1918 Village taken
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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| Want to know more about 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment? There are:5280 items tagged 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London 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.
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Those known to have served with16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918. - Baker Frederick A.. Pte. (d.Oct 1916)
- Baker MM Herbert Fullerton. Cpl. (d.30th Apr 1918)
- Bales Thomas. Pte.
- Beville Alfred Geoffrey. 2nd Lt. (d.8th Apr 1917)
- Bowran Harry. Rfmn. (d.10th September 1916)
- Bradley MM Stanley Victor. Pte (d.30th Nov 1917)
- Buckley Tim. Pte (d.14th Jan 1916)
- Burford Horace Arthur. Rflmn. (d.30th Nov 1917)
- Clarke . Pte.
- Coleman Henry. Rfmn. (d.10th Sep 1916)
- Crawford Frederick Thomas Edward. Rfm. (d.15th Apr 1917)
- Daking Ernest Albert . Rfle. (d.14th April 1917 )
- Eve William Francis. Rflmn.
- Fagan MM, MID. Howard Alexander. Sgt. (d.21st Jul 1916)
- Fagan MM, MiD. Howard Alexander. Sgt. (d.21st Jul 1916)
- Fenton William Norman. Pte.
- Fitzgerald James. Rflmn. (d.1st October 1916)
- Garnet Reginald. A/Cpl.
- Gissing Walter Leonard. Pte. (d.1st July 1916)
- Gissing Walter Leonard. Rflmn. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Greenaway G. H.. Rflmn. (d.25th June 1916)
- Hanley William. Pte. (d.1st July 1916)
- Hart Sidney Arthur. Rfl. (d.10th September 1918)
- Havinden George Smith. Pte.
- Hipwell Charles Alfred Edward. Rfm. (d.15th Sep 1916)
- Horrill Edwin John. Rfmn. (d.19th Sep 1916)
- Jones DCM. John Richard. Sgt.
- Leonard William Henry. Pte. (d.6th Dec 1917)
- Martin John G. Rfmn. (d.1st July 1916)
- McEvoy Robert McEvoy. Pte.
- McEvoy Robert Wright. Pte.
- Miles A. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Miles Albert John. Rflmn. (d.1st July 1916)
- Moody Thomas John. Rfmn. (d.9th Jul 1916)
- Rosenberg William Frederick. RSM.
- Schofield Harry W.. Pte.
- Spry Alec. Rifl. (d.13th August 1917)
- Unknown .
- Weatherhead Henry Kenneth. Rflmn. (d.10th Sept 1916)
- Webb Musgrave Maitland. Lt. (d.18th Sep 1916)
- Witney Henry Harford. Sgt. (d.28th 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 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment from other sources.
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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.
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Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a
Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.
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Rfmn. Edwin John Horrill 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.19th Sep 1916) Edwin John Horrill was my mother's half brother. His mother was Annie Snell. When my grandparents died we found the items relating to Edwin which I have photographed.
He was born on 13th October 1896 in Menheniot, Cornwall, England and died on the 19th of September 1916 in France. He is buried in Combles Communal Cemetery and Extension, Guards´ Cemetery, in Combles.
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Rflmn. Horace Arthur Burford 1st/16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.30th Nov 1917) Horace Burford was killed in action on the 30th of November 1917 and is commemorated on The Cambrai Memorial in France.
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Unknown 16th Btn. London Regiment This picture was found behind a painting when taking it to be reframed. The badge looks like the queens westminsters and the painting is of a scene near conwy north wales. The home of the soldier may be similar but is unknown.
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Sgt. Howard Alexander "Alec" Fagan MM, MiD. 1st/16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.21st Jul 1916)  Howard Fagan, my great uncle, joined the Queens Westminster Rifles a Territorial Army Battalion on leaving school whilst still 15 years old in 1913.
The 1st Battalion of the QWRs was sent to France in November 1914 and fought in Flanders, firstly near Armentieres, then in 1915 in the Ypres Salient. In the Spring of 1916, the 56th London Division was formed and pulled out of the front line for extensive training before the attack on Gommecourt on the 1st of July 1916, part of the Somme campaign.
Alec was badly wounded in that disastrous attack, probably by machine gun fire but made it to the No.16 General Hospital near Le Tréport where his parents were able to visit him.
Sadly Alec died on the 21st July a week before his 19th birthday.
In his brief Amy career, Alec was awarded the Military Medal for gallant service in the Ypres Salient, was mentioned in dispatches by General Haig and was promoted three times from rifleman to Sergeant, but he turned down a commission.
His letters home show him to be a loving son and brother and he made light of the horrors of trench warfare.
All in all, he was like many young London office boys who served his country valiantly when the time came, and he proved himself a brave and outstanding rifleman and a hero to his family.
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Sgt. Howard Alexander Fagan MM, MID. 1/16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.21st Jul 1916) Sergeant Alec Fagan was seriously wounded on the 1st of July 1916 at the Battle of Gommecourt and was taken to No.16 General Hospital, Le Treport suffering from Gun shot wounds right thigh and side. His parents were given permission to attend and see him which they did on the 19th July but alas he died two days later and was buried in the Mont-Huon Military Cemetery. He was still only 18 years old when he died and received the Military Medal posthumously.
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Cpl. Herbert Fullerton Baker MM 16th Btn. London Regiment (d.30th Apr 1918) One of 18 children, Cpl. Baker was born in 1884 and lived in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. He won the Military Medal for courage and determination when leading his section toward capturing the enemy trench.
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RSM. William Frederick Rosenberg 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment My great grandfather William Rosenberg was a Company Sergeant Major who became a Regimental Sergeant Major in his time serving in the war 1914-18. He was an entomologist by trade, discovering many new species in South America in the 1890's.
I was born on the day of his 50th wedding anniversary and he mentioned me in his speech at the time, so I am told!
I would love to hear from anyone who can give me more information on his service in WW1, as this is sparse.
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Rfmn. Harry Bowran 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.10th September 1916) Harry Bowran served with the 16th Battalion, London Regiment in WW1. He died 10th of September 1916. His body was never found and his name is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
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Rfmn. Thomas John Moody 1st/16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.9th Jul 1916) Thomas Moody was the youngest son of Charles and Matilda Henrietta Moody of 13 Church Street, Romsey, Hants.
He was 27 when he died and a student at the time of the 1911 census and so must have gone through higher education of some kind.
The war diaries indicate he was the only death on that day (a Sunday) at Foncquevillers where the Battalion had moved on following the Gommecourt fighting on the first few days of the month.
He is buried in the cemetery at Foncquevillers.
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Pte. Robert Wright McEvoy Royal Irish Rifles Robert McEvoy was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1890 and died in Hamilton Ontario, Canada in 1957.
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Pte Tim Buckley 16th Btn London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles) (d.14th Jan 1916) My great Uncle for whom I am named.
I don't know how exactly he came to be one of the few 1916 burials in the Hop Store cemetery.
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Pte. Frederick A. Baker 16th (St Pancras Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.Oct 1916) My Grandfather, Charles Turner, of the Royal West Surrey Regiment, had his photo taken with this person in civvies before the war. I found the photo in my mother's photo album with details on the back.
Pte F A Baker, No 32, 16th St Pancras Rifles attached to MGC killed in action Oct 1916.
My grandfather was also from St Pancras and was wounded on 3rd of July 1916 and invalided home.
I would love to find out more about F.A Baker. He may be a relative of mine or just a close friend of my grandfather's.
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Rfmn. Henry Coleman 16th Btn. London Regiment (d.10th Sep 1916) Harry Coleman was killed in action at the Battle of Ginchy. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, he was serving with 16th London Regiment, 56th Division, 169th Brigade. I have two photos of Harry.
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Pte. Thomas Bales 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment Thomas Bales was my great great uncle. I have all his medals, dog tags and cap badge. I was left them by my grandfather in his will. I remember talking to uncle Tom as a boy and being told to speak loud as he was deaf from shelling in the war and being told to sit still so he could see me as he was nearly blind from being gassed. I know nothing more than that, except his sister never married as she cared for him from the time he returned from the war till his death many years later.
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Rfl. Sidney Arthur Hart 2nd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th September 1918) Sidney Hart was born 28th of June 1896 in Bedford, son of John and Mary Hart of 77 Howbury Street, Bedford. He eEnlisted in April 1917 at Bedford with the 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment then posted to 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. He Saw action at Arras, Ypres, Beaumont-Hamel and Cambrai. He was badly gassed and died of gas poisoning on 10th September 1918 age 22 years at Boulogne, France and is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1908-13, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.
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Rfle. Ernest Albert Daking 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.14th April 1917 ) Ernest Daking was born in Boxted, Suffolk, son of John & Ellen Daking, husband of Lucy Annie Daking of Ellesmere, Regents Park Road, Finchley, London. Lived in Highbury, London and enlisted Holloway. He served with the 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment and was killed in action on the 14th of April 1917 age 35 years and is buried in Bootham Cemetery, Heninet, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial in St. Peters Church, Felsham, Suffolk. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1891-98, he commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com
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Sgt. John Richard Jones DCM. 1/16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment My father John Jones served in the QWR throughout the war. He received the DCM in 1917. He was wounded in the war but I have no details as he rarely spoke about WW1.
At the end of the war he returned to Whiteleys where he worked as an accountant but eventually left to enter the National Provincial Bank rising to manager quickly.
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Rifl. Alec Spry 1st/16th.(Queens Westminster Rifles)Btn. London Regiment (d.13th August 1917) I have recently discovered Alec Spry is my relative (3rd Great Uncle) and I will be making the trip to the Menin Gate in May 2017 to pay my respect to him and his brothers in arms. He died three days before the 3rd Battle of Ypres.
I did not realise that I had any relatives who fought or were involved in the Great War and I am humbled by the fact that my family were there. I do not have any photo's of my relative and cannot give much more information.
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Rflmn. G. H. Greenaway 16th Btn. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles) (d.25th June 1916) Rifleman G H Greenaway was aged 19 when he died of wounds at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport, France on 25th June 1916. He was the son of Alfred and Maria Greenaway of Loughton, Essex. He is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France, Plot 2, Row L, Grave 7A.
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Pte. Robert McEvoy McEvoy East Yorkshire Regiment Robert McEvoy is my great-grandfather. He passed away in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1957.
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