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21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment    21st (First Surrey Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment, a Territorial unit and had their headquarters at 4 Flodden Road, Camberwell, when war broke out in August 1914, serving as part of 6th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war was declared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 16th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919. 29th Sep 1914 Lord Kitchener inspects 2nd London Division  Lord Kitchener Secretary of State for War inspects the 2nd London Division at Gorhambury, Hertfordshire. 1st Feb 1915 Inspection 2nd Feb 1915 Exercise 3rd Feb 1915 Divisional Exercise 12th Feb 1915 Exercise 12th Feb 1915 Divisional Exercise 16th Feb 1915 On the Move 22nd Feb 1915 Exercise 22nd Feb 1915 Exercise 26th Feb 1915 Exercise 9th Mar 1915 Musketry 15th Mar 1915 On the Move 18th Mar 1915 On the Move 22nd Mar 1915 Inspection 23rd Mar 1915 Orders 23rd Mar 1915 Praise 24th Mar 1915 Instruction 25th Mar 1915 Instruction   26th Mar 1915 Instruction 27th Mar 1915 Frost   28th Mar 1915 No Wood 29th Mar 1915 Orders 30th Mar 1915 Orders Received 31st Mar 1915 Instruction 25th May 1915 Attack Made 26th of May 1915 Situation Report 4   26th May 1915 Hard Fighting 27th May 1915 Message of Congratulation 18th Jun 1915 Reliefs 27th June 1915 Operational Order No.17.   28th June 1915 Operational Order No.24.   6th July 1915 Operational Order No.25. 6th July 1915 Operational Order No.20. 15th Jul 1915 Reliefs 22nd July 1915 Relieved in trenches by 21st London Regt. 3rd September 1915 Relieved in trenches by 21st London Regt. 16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme 21st October 1915 140th Infantry Brigade. Operational Order No.34.   21st October 1915 Operational Order No.34.   22nd October 1915 Relief Completed 1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets 11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment 26th December 1915 Operational Order No. 47. 27th December 1915 Divisional Reserve 10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens 9th February 1916 Call Ups 26th March 1916 Firesteps built 26th March 1916 Operational Order No.70. 26th March 1916 Operational Order No.71. 24th June 1916  Operational Order No.85.   25th June 1916 Reliefs 14th Sep 1916 Bombardment 15th Sep 1916 1st Surrey Rifles at High Wood  The battle for High Wood was over by the time First Surrey Rifles were engaged later that day. The 47th (London) Division book 1922 states that they captured Starfish Redoubt. The entry was made by the then GSO1 Lt Col B L Montgomery. The mystery is that Starfish Redoubt is not recorded in the Official War Diary or the Regiment's book 1927. Starfish Redoubt is clearly marked on Official Trench Maps. 4th November 1916 Camouflet   23rd Feb 1917 Reliefs 27th Feb 1917 Reliefs   27th February 1917 Support of Hill 60 Sector 27th February 1917 Operational Order 140.   28th Feb 1917 In Camp 1st Mar 1917 Training 2nd Mar 1917 Training 6th Mar 1917 Training 7th Mar 1917 Reliefs Complete 15th Mar 1917 Patrols 16th Mar 1917 Reliefs 22nd Mar 1917 Reliefs 24th Mar 1917 On the March 25th Mar 1917 On the March 26th Mar 1917 On the March 27th Mar 1917 Training 7th April 1917 Training 8th April 1917 On the March 9th April 1917 On the March 11th April 1917 On the March   12th April 1917 Reliefs   13th April 1917 Artillery Active   14th April 1917 Artillery in Action   18th April 1917 Patrols   19th April 1917 Reliefs   27th April 1917 Reliefs   1st May 1917 Patrols   2nd May 1917 Some Shelling 4th May 1917 Reliefs   5th May 1917 Shelling 6th May 1917 On the Move 24th June 1917 Cricket and Entertainment 3rd of July 1917 Quiet Day 1st Dec 1917 Reliefs  At 9.30 a.m. Orders received for 21st London Regiment to be ready to move at once to reinforce either 140th or 141st Infantry Brigade. Reconnaissance made of possible supporting positions W & E of Anneux. 3 p.m. Warning received of probable relief of 15th London Regt in Bourlon Wood. 5 p.m. Orders received to reinforce 141 Infantry Brigade East of Anneux. Battalion prepares to move. C.O. reports to 140th and 141st Brigade Hqrs for orders. 6 p.m. Orders cancelled & new orders received to proceed with the relief of 15th London Regiment already prepared for. War Diary 2nd Dec 1917 21st Londons at Bourlon Wood  At 1 a.m. Relief of 15th Lon Regt by 21st Londons is complete. Dispositions. D& A Coys in Front line, opposite Bourlon. C Coy in immediate support. B Coy in reserve near Battalion Hqrs at SW corner of Bourlon Wood. 8.10 p.m. 7th & 8th Lon Regt attack to straighten out Front Line immediately W. of Bourlon Wood. Our L.G. cooperate on R. flank of the attack. Capt. A.L. Strickland sends one platoon from D Coy to assist in the consolidation of captured line. 8th Lon Regt wounded & prisoners wounded & unwounded, passed through Battalion Hqrs & R.A.P. War Diary 21 Londons 3rd Dec 1917 21st Londons assist 8th Londons  1 a.m. on the 3rd December 21st London regiment supply Stretcher-bearers, SAA & tools to 8th London Battalion to help in evacuation of wounded & consolidation. 21st Londons C.O. issues orders for new dispositions to strengthen the left flank, at the request of O.C. 8th Battalion. 1.45 a.m. These orders cancelled on receipt of orders from 142 Inf Brigade to take over more Front Line on the Right flank in relief of a Company of 22nd Battalion. Heavy enemy shelling, Gas & H.E. around Battalion Hqrs in the evening. Rations obtained by limber during barrage fire. War Diary 21 Londons 4th Dec 1917 21st Londons under fire  At 3 p.m. Orders received by 21st Londons from Brigade for C.O. to go to Battalion Hqrs. He returns at 5.30 p.m. with orders for withdrawal from the Bourlon Salient. 6. p.m. Operation Orders issued to O/C Coys in Conference at Battalion Hqrs. 4-10 p.m. Vicinity of Battalion Hqrs intermittently and heavily bombarded with Gas shells & H.E. SAA.& tools removed by limber about 9 p.m. War Diary 21 Londons 5th Dec 1917 21st Londons withdraw from Bourlon Wood   At just after 12 midnight on the morning of the 5th December, 21st Battalion, London Regiment withdraws from Bourlon Wood according to plan to Hindenburg Support Line, casualties Lieut. Hunt killed, 2 o.r. wounded. 4 a.m. Outpost line (2 platoons from C Coy 21st Londons) under Lieut J Edmunds withdrew without casualty from Bourlon Wood. 6.30 a.m. Outpost line reported back with the 21st London Battalion. The Battalion extended in accordance with 142 Infantry Brigade: Operational Order 240. Dispositions being 4 Companies, each disposed in depth, 2 platoons in main line of resistance, 1 platoon in outpost line. Major R.H. Tolerton came forward to relieve Lt Col Dawes, & temporarily assumed command of the Battalion. Battalion HQ in 5.9’ gunpits in forward trench system. War Diary 21 Londons 6th Dec 1917 21st Londons at Graincourt  11 a.m. Divisional Commander visited the line. 4 p.m. Fighting patrol from the 21st Londons under 2/Lt J.O.B Hitch is sent Northwards along Hindenburg Support Line obtains touch with outposts of 2nd Divn, no signs of enemy patrols. 5.30 p.m. The forward outpost line through Graincourt held by 140 Inf Brigade is withdrawn. 6 p.m. Post in K.11.A (Sheet 57c) held by RWF relieved by 2 platoons from D Coy, 21st Londons under Lieut C.H. Edmunds. Patrols & forward picquets are maintained during this & successive nights. War Diary 21 Londons 7th Dec 1917 21st Londons at Graincourt  Work of consolidation of line continued for the 21st Londons. Enemy M.G. & snipers being active for Graincourt & neighbourhood. Much desultory shelling around Battalion Hqrs. Patrols etc. maintained. 9 p.m. 21st London Battalion Hqrs moved from forward system into George Str near Brigade Hqrs. An advanced Hqrs is left in the old position under Capt Strickland. Lieut Col Dawes resumed command of the 21st Battalion, London Regiment. War Diary 21 Londons 8th Dec 1917 Quieter day for 21st Londons  21st Battalion London Regiment are engaged in work of consolidation & improvement of wire and communications. Day quieter and enemy in general less active. War Diary 21 Londons 9th Dec 1917 Londons Regiments in action  The War diary of the 21st London Regiment records: Considerable hostile shelling against our posts resulting in the evacuation of a post on our right garrisoned by the 23rd London Regiment 1 p.m. A counter attack is made by the 21st Londons, consisting of 20 O.R’s with a platoon in support was conducted by 2nd/Lt Stoke. This operation resulted in driving the enemy to the N side of the sunken road in K.10.b but further progress was impossible owing to heavy machine gun fire down the road. Lt Richmond and 2 O.R’s killed. Sgt Alexander who had been shot through the thigh early in the morning, slipped away from the regimental aid post and returned to the line when the enemy were attacking. He left the trench and charged and dispersed a party of the enemy with the bayonet but was killed whilst performing this act of gallantry. About 12 midnight the Advance Post under Lt C H Edmunds withdraws. War Diary 21 Londons 10th Dec 1917 Quieter day for 21st Londons  21st Battalion London Regiment record in their War Diary: Day considerably quieter. At dusk Lt H.A. Gilkes MC and 3 O.Rs went out to the old advanced post at K.11.a, evacuated previous night. A number of ‘P’ bombs were thrown into the dugouts and the entrances to the tunnels. War Diary 21 Londons 11th Dec 1917 21st Londons consolidate  Consolidation work continued for 21st Londons continued. Situation fairly quiet except for some sniping from Graincourt. War Diary 21 Londons 12th Dec 1917 21st Londons relieved  Consolidation continued for the 21st Londons, situation fairly quiet except for some sniping from Graincourt. At 6 p.m. Two companies are relieved by 23rd Bn Royal Fusiliers. Remaining Companies relieved about midnight by the 22nd Bn London Regiment. War Diary 21 Londons 13th Dec 1917 21st Londons in reserve  By 4 a.m. on the 13th of December the 21st Londons report, relief complete. The Battalion bivouacked on a hill side. War Diary 21 Londons 14th Dec 1917 21st Londons in reserve  The area occupied by the 21st Londons is cleaned up generally. Blankets are sent up and all efforts made to make things as comfortable as possible. War Diary 21 Londons 15th Dec 1917 21st Londons return to billets  At 6 p.m. on the 15th December the 21st Londons are relieved by 7th Bn London Regt and withdraw to Bertincourt. By 9 p.m. the men of the 21st Battalion are in billets at Bertincourt. War Diary 21 Londons 15th December 1917 Battalion moved forward to Front Line 16th Dec 1917 21st Londons on the move  At 8 a.m. on the 16th December the 21st Battalion London Regiment paraded and then marched to Velu. They entrained there at 9 a.m. and proceeded to Aveluym detraining there about midday. They ate dinner in half an hour and the Battalion then marched to Lavieville which was reached at 4.30 p.m. War Diary 21 Londons 17th Dec 1917 21st Londons at Lavieville  The 21st Londons record in their war diary: Day spent in cleaning up generally and in intensive economy at Lavieville where the Battalion are to remain in billets resting until the end of the month. Light training is carried out according to the daily programme, tactical scheme by Brigades under supervision of the Divisional Commander. Work is done as material available, an improvement of accommodation in billets. War Diary 21 Londons 28th Dec 1917 21st Londons prepare to depart Lavieville  The 21st Londons record in their war diary for the 28th of December 1917: Brigade put under orders to move at 4 hours notice. War Diary 21 Londons 30th Dec 1917 21st Londons depart Lavieville  At 4 p.m. Orders received for the 21st Londons to be ready to move about 6 p.m. At 6.15 p.m. a Brigade Operational Order is received to march to Albert & entrain for Étricourt. At 9 p.m. 21st London Battalion entrained at Albert. War Diary 21 Londons 31st Dec 1917 21st Londons under canvas  By 6.30 a.m. on the 31st of December 1916 the 21st Battalion, London Regiment are under canvas in camp near Étricourt. But at 12 midnight an Operational Order is received for the Brigade to move into Camp in the Lechelle area. War Diary 21 Londons 14th Oct 1918 Orders 30th Oct 1918 Reliefs If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment? There are:5340 items tagged 21st (1st Surrey 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. Those known to have served with 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918. Amos Harry. Rfm. (d.7th Jun 1917) Andrews William Horace. L/Cpl. (d.7th Jun 1917) Anson Albert Henry. Rifleman (d.8th Oct 1916) Armstrong Edmund Robert. Pte. (d.3rdJune 1918) Bannister Henry Walter. Rfmn. (d.6th Apr 1918) Butler CdeG. Robert William. Sgt. Coombes Herbert Victor. 2nd Lt (d.28th Mar 1918) Earthrowl Walter Thomas. Rflmn. (d.8th June 1917) Edwards MM&bar. John Marshall. Lt. Embery Alfred William. Rfn (d.24th Aug 1918) Fathers Kenneth George. Pte. George Stephen Penry. L/Cpl. (d.23rd May 1916) Godsland George Baker. Sgt. (d.9th May 1915) Green Charles Frederick William. Pte. Grubb Edward Albert. Pte. Haseldean Albert Charles George. Sgt. (d.16th Jul 1917) Hunt Arthur. Rflmn. Joel Harold Walter. Capt. (d.7th. June 1917) Johnson Arthur Leon. Rfmn. Knight James Albert Edward. Pte. Lidgley John Charles. Pte. (d.15th Sep 1916) McAuliffe Patrick Francis. Merryweather William John Edward. Pte. (d.11th Dec 1918) Messervy Ernest Dyce. Capt. (d.20th Jul 1917) Nunns Norman. 2nd Lt. Pitt Christian William. Rfm. (d.20th Oct 1917) Saunders Archibald Sidney. Rfn. (d.22nd Mar 1918) Slater Henry Thomas William. Rflmn. (d.6th May 1917) Stinton Kennedy. Rfm. (d.7th June 1917) 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 (1st Surrey Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment 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.   Capt. Ernest Dyce Messervy 56 Sqd. (d.20th Jul 1917) Ernest Messervy of the London Regiment and R.F.C. is one of 30 soldiers commemorated on a Memorial Plaque in the Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth, Morayshire - To the honoured memory of the members of the Moray Golf Club who gave their lives in the Great War 1914 - 1919. Captain Ernest Dyce Messervy served with the 21st Battalion (First Surrey Rifles), the London Regiment and the 56th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps during WW1 and died on the 20th July 1917. He is commemorated at the above Golf Club and at the Arras Flying Services Memorial. On the 4th April 1918, Flight & The Aircraft Engineer published the following obituary: Captain Ernest Dyce Messervy, London Regt, attached RFC, who was missing on July 20th 1917, and is now believed to have been killed that day, was the youngest son of the late Ernest and Margaret Dyce Messervy, Telawakelle, Ceylon, and nephew of Mrs Thorne, Highfield Park, Heckfield. His age was 23. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission adds the additional information that he was serving with 56th Squadron at the time of his death. He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial. A 28-year-old Major Gerald Messervy MC of the RFA also died during the First World War (8th October 1918). The Commonwealth War Graves Commission adds that he was the "Son of Ernest Francis and Margaret Dyce Messervy" and this being the case it looks likely that he was Captain Ernest Dyce's older brother. John Ellwood Add to this record.   Rfm. Christian William Pitt 1/21st Btn. London Regiment (d.20th Oct 1917) Christian William Pitt known as William. Married to Mabel Florence Marsden a biscuit maker of 18 Lorimore Road on 19 March 1916. They spent just two weeks together following their marriage. They were never to see each other again. Bron Lovering Add to this record.   Sgt. Robert William Butler CdeG. 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment Robert Butler served with the 1st Surrey Rifles I have found a page in the 21st Battalion, London Regiment War Diaries from the National archive which has his signature Sjt RW Butler. I also have his medals and certificate for the Belgium Croix de Guerre. Robert is my Grandfather on my father's side and passed away in 1961, the year after I was born. He struggled with breathing problems for many years but the family knew how lucky they were to have him home. Karen Tomlin Add to this record.   Lt. John Marshall Edwards MM&bar. 159th Brigade Royal Field Artillery Jack never spoke of the war, but we have discovered he was twice awarded the Military Medal in the field. He joined up with the 21st London Regiment as a private and started in France 16th of March 1915. He was Commissioned on the 13th of September 1917 into the RFA. Sarah Lowe Add to this record.   Rifleman Albert Henry Anson 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.8th Oct 1916) Albert Henry Anson is recorded on the war memorial in St. Mary's Parish church, Chidham, West Sussex although his wife lived in the neighbouring village of Bosham. He was born in London in 1882, son of George John Parker Anson and Mary Ann Anson of London. He worked as a barman until the outbreak of the First World War when he joined the London Regiment of the First Surrey Rifles. During the war his wife, Elizabeth Marie Anson (Betty), moved from Forest Hill to live at The Retreat in Bosham. Rifleman Anson was killed in action on 8th October 1916 during the final weeks of the Battle of the Somme. His name is also recorded on the Thiepval memorial. Add to this record.   Rflmn. Walter Thomas Earthrowl 1st/21st Battalion London Regiment (d.8th June 1917) Walter Earthrowl served in the 1st Surrey Rifles, otherwise called 1st/21st (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment. He was killed on Day 2 of the Battle of Messines on 8th of June 1917 at the age of 26 and now lies in Bedford House War Cemetery to the south of Ypres. Of the half a dozen or so members of the Earthrowl family who served in the First World War, he was the only one not to survive and return home, and was the youngest of a family of twelve siblings. He was my father's youngest uncle, and my great uncle. Barry Earthrowl Add to this record.   Sgt. George Baker Godsland 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Btn. B Coy. London Regiment (d.9th May 1915) George Godsland was aged 55 when killed in action on 9th of May 1915. He is buried at Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy. A comrade wrote "Greatly loved by all in B Co., Always cheerful, and ready to help in whatever task was needed." For 21 years he was in the employ of Welch, Margetson & Co., of Moor Lane. A member of Crownfield (House) Club and one of the best shots in the City. Also a member of the London Devonian Society. Evelyn M Empson Add to this record.   Rflmn. Henry Thomas William Slater 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Btn London Regiment (d.6th May 1917) On 24th of February 1917, Territorial Soldier, Rifleman Henry Slater of 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment was attached to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who were then in the trenches at Hill 60 sub sector. At the age of 25 years, Rifleman Slater died on 6th of May 1917 and is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery. He was was posthumously awarded the British War and Victory Medals. The medals were dispatched to his father, Henry Slater of Camberwell, on 28th December 1921. Tim Lewcock Add to this record.   Pte. Charles Frederick William Green 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment Charles Frederick William Green was born in Clapham on 6th May 1898, the only son of Charles and Clara Green. His mother was the former Clara Neplina Ruler, who was born in Geelong in the colony of Victoria, during 1854, at the height of the Australian gold rush. He had a sister Pollie Elizabeth born 1898. Up until the outbreak of WWI, he worked as a shipping clerk for the Edinburgh & London Shipping Company at Wapping Wharf. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Territorial Force, later to be renamed the Territorial Army, to train as a rifleman in the 1/21st London Division, First Surrey Rifles. When England declared war on Germany the battalion was in Salisbury for its annual training fortnight. They returned first to HQ at 4 Flodden Road in Camberwell, and then on to St. Albans for battle training. 1/21st London Division (First Surrey Rifles) disembarked at Le Havre on 16th March 1915, only the second TF Division to be sent to France to bolster the BEF. They fired their first shots from the trenches near Bethune on the evening of 2nd April. After 331 days in France, serving on various fronts, including Aubers Ridge, Festubert and the Battle of Loos on the Somme, Rifleman Green was returned to England as part of the 47th Division, which left Le Havre on 8th February 1916, having completed the four years of service he had signed up for. He was not yet 23 years old. Charles re-enlisted in July 1916 in the Royal Horse Artillery at Woolwich. He was attached to the Army Reserves in 1920. He was married to Dorothy Annie Saxby in 1938 and died in London on 1st September 1961. If anyone has any information on Charles's service with the RHA, I would be most grateful to learn of it. Yvonne Allison Add to this record.   Pte. Edmund Robert Armstrong 1st/21st Btn London Regiment (d.3rdJune 1918) I am trying to trace details of medals awarded to Private Edmund Robert Armstrong Serial No. G/36901, 1st/21st Bn. London Regt. (First Surrey Rifles). Edmund was a POW and died on 3rd June 1918, and is buried in Germany. Have searched the Medal Roll on the National Archives site, with no result. Can anyone assist? Bernard McIver Add to this record.    Patrick Francis McAuliffe 23rd Btn. C Company. London Regiment My great grandfather Pat McAuliffe joined up probably in the first week of July 1914, certainly no later than 6th July. His original service number was 700279. He was in C Company when 1/23rd went to France in March 1915. His date of leaving France on 28th May 1915 would indicate very strongly that he was wounded on 25th/26th May at Givenchy, most of the 'lucky' casualties who made it back to UK appear to have left around that date. He may have been held back in UK for longer than it took him to recover from his wound, as he would have been only 17 in 1915. After his recovery he is sent in a draft to 2/21st London in Salonika, even though he has a six digit 23rd London number. He wouldn't have had to change his number when transferred as 21st London were of the same corps (East Surreys) as 23rd London, but would have been issued it in Jan/Feb 1917. He remains with 2/21st when they move to Egypt and on the reduction of 2/21st on 3rd June 1918 he's part of the draft that goes to 2/13th London (other drafts went to 2/19th and 2/22nd) and gets his number changed to 494569 He probably has some form of medical downgrade when with 2/13th which leads to his transfer to 21st Rifle Brigade, another number change, 212896 and ultimately his garrisoning of India until some time in mid 1919 when those battalions of the Rifle Brigade seem to have returned home. Stephen Hedges Add to this record.   Rfn. Archibald Sidney "Harry" Saunders 1/21st (Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918) Archibald Saunders, known as 'Harry', formerly 4340, 5th East Surrey Regt, was severely wounded by shrapnel in the 21st Battalion, London Regt, 47th Division attack on High Wood, The Somme, during the evening of 15 September 1916. He was brought back to UK and died of his wounds 18 months later at the 2nd Eastern General Hospital, Brighton, on 22nd March 1918, at the age of 28. He left behind his wife and three little children. Peter Saunders Add to this record.   Pte. John Charles Lidgley 1st/21st (Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916) John Charles Lidgley born approx. 1894, was a plumber in Hounslow Middlesex before the war. He married Annie Deeley in Feb 1916 and had a son also named John Charles Lidgley-Deeley who was born in Jan 1915. John served with the 1st/21st (First Surrey Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, and died on 15th September 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial at the Somme. Storm iggs Add to this record.   Rfmn. Arthur Leon Johnson 21st Btn. London Regiment I have this photo which I am guessing belongs to Arthur Leon Johnson (my great uncle) Is it the 21st County of London Regimental Band? I can just make out something on the drum which could be County of London then underneath Rough Riders Does anyone have the same photo with some names of the men? Carol Brown Add to this record.   Sgt. Albert Charles George Haseldean 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Btn London Regiment (d.16th Jul 1917) Albert Haseldeane was my great uncle. He served with the 1st Surrey Rifles, 21st Btn London Regiment. I am just trying to find out what the 1st Surrey Rifles were doing and where when my great uncle was killed on 16th July 1917. It is very difficult and I think these very brave men should have a history Mark O'Callaghan Add to this record.   Pte. James Albert Edward Knight 21st (First Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment Prior to the war James Knight was a bare knuckle prizefighter (the grandson of Tom Sayers the famous pugilist). He must have been pretty fit and a true survivor and probably a bit of a loner as I sense he was not a fan of discipline or being told what to do. He joined the 1st Surrey Rifles by accident I think, as a group of them went up together to join up and some went into the 1st and others were taken into a different part of the The 21st London Regiment, it may have been The Greenwich Rifles. He recalled it as a real setback as later he was to say that when he led young fresh troops up to the front he didn’t really care, but if he heard that “One of the old boys" had been killed it would demoralise him for days. He decided to become a messenger as he was sick of being in mud and water for days on end. He delivered dispatches on foot as he couldn’t ride a motorbike. Messengers did not have a very long lifespan, but they were treated well, and given food and or dry clothes when they delivered a message. Back to the motorbike. One day a shell fell and injured a dispatch rider, the bike fell to the side but was still ticking over, Pte. Knight and a couple of the others had never driven anything mechanical before so they drew straws as to who would try and take the message, James drew the short straw, asked the rider how to make it work then hopped on, rode off and finally reached his destination, unfortunately he hadn’t been told how to stop and the inevitable happened and he just jumped off letting the bike collide into a trench much to the disgust of the waiting small crowd of soldiers at the end. We heard a few other stories. He told me about the first time he saw a Tank which in those days were top secret and in hindsight I could still see how impressed he was by the vision of these mechanical monoliths crawling over the ground. James Knight was a tiny thin, austere looking man (about 5’4) but always had a presence about him. I am glad to say our Grandfather was one of the “few” who survived the war and was awarded The Pip, Squeak and Wilfred medals, The 1914 – 1915 Star, British War Medal, and The Victory Medal. My uncle told me he was also awarded a Croix De Guerre but this I can't confirm as many War records for Privates were lost during the second world war bombing of London. In 1915 he was injured by a mortar and sent home due to his injuries. After the war he led a very ordinary life as a driver of horse-drawn carriages, his eyesight deteriorated quite prematurely at the age of around 40 probably due to all the nerve damage he sustained during his boxing matches. He died peacefully in Greenwich Hospital in London at the age of 83 near his little flat and about 100 meters from where he went to school. I think his War experience was the only time he had ever spent abroad. Shortly after the war he was invited by the French but he said “I couldn’t be bothered” which about sums the man up. He died with pieces of shrapnel still in his hip I was told. Edward Knight Add to this record.   Pte. Kenneth George Fathers 1/21st London (1st Surrey Rifles) 21st London Regiment Kenneth George Fathers was the brother of my Grandmother, Avice Hill nee Fathers, was wounded in the back by shell fire when advancing on the enemy sometime in April 1915. I have the returned letter from his sister marked 'wounded' which closely dates the event and also a picture of his house in south London and the street it was in. He was at pains to always remind everyone that he was not running away when he was hit. It seems that chivalry and honour was uppermost in his mind, as it was with the vast majority of our brave forefathers. Rob Hill Add to this record.   Pte. Edward Albert "Lucky" Grubb 21st London Regiment Edward Grubb served with the 21st London Regiment. Steven Grubb Add to this record.   Capt. Harold Walter Joel 1/21st Btn. London Regiment (d.7th. June 1917) Harold Joel was my great-uncle (my mother's mother's brother) who was born on 25th. March 1897. Sadly, I do not know much more about him. I have a photograph, which is kept inside a pocket watch engraved with the 21st. County of London badge and details of HWJ, which I have inherited. John Dixon Add to this record.   2nd Lt. Norman Nunns 1/21st Btn. London Regiment Norman Nunns was my grandfather; he was apparently a marksman and used to train men in sharpshooting. He was initially turned down for active service, on account of TB; He was commissioned in March 1917. I'm not sure whether he served in the Battle of Messines, though it seems likely that he must have done. He was wounded at Passchendaele on 16th August 1917 and was apparently rescued from open ground by his batman. He successfully applied for a War Wound Gratuity and also received the Silver War Badge. He was promoted to Lt on the 28th of September 1918 but did not recover sufficiently to return to active service. He was medically discharged on the 21st of October 1919. Timothy Nunns Add to this record. Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

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