- 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry during the Great War -
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About
1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry were at the Curragh in Ireland serving with 14th Brigade, 5th Division when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre 15 August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. on the 12th of January 1916 the 1st DCLI transferred to 95th Brigade still with 5th Division. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.
21st of August 1913 Lecture
23rd Aug 1914 Patrols
24th Aug 1914 Entrenching
24th Aug 1914 Rear Guard
25th Aug 1914 In Defence
26th Aug 1914 Orders
26th Aug 1914 Under Fire
27th Aug 1914 Defensive line
28th Aug 1914 On the March
29th Aug 1914 Bivouack
30th Aug 1914 On the March
31st Aug 1914 On the March
14th Sep 1914 In Action
15th Sep 1914 In Action
17th Oct 1914 In Action
18th Oct 1914 Shelling
19th of November 1914 Movements
25th of November 1914 Royal Scots Shelled
4th of December 1914 Reliefs
5th of December 1914 Relief Complete
6th of December 1914 Frosty Night
7th of December 1914 Patrols Fired On
8th of December 1914 Poor Conditions
10th of December 1914 Naval Victory Cheered
12th of December 1914 No Incidents
14th of December 1914 French on the Offensive
15th of December 1914 Operations Resumed
16th of December 1914 Instruction
17th December 1914 Reliefs
18th of December 1914 No Progress
21st of December 1914 Howitzers Silenced
26th of December 1914 Messines Square Targetted
31st of December 1914 Message
2nd of January 1915 Artillery Active
4th of January 1915 Trench Work
7th of January 1915 Very Wet Weather
8th of January 1915 Trenches Damaged
10th of January 1915 Flooding and Baling
15th of January 1915 Germans Fire Slowly
16th of January 1915 Squally Weather
17th of January 1915 Quiet Day
18th of January 1915 Artillery Active
19th of January 1915 Thaw Sets In
21st of January 1915 Wulverghem Shelled
22nd of January 1915 Aeroplane-Aided Shelling
29th of January 1915 Artillery Intervenes
31st of January 1915 Trench Improvements Reported
1st of February 1915 No 7 Trench Hit
4th of February 1915 Chicken Sentries
7th of February 1915 Sectors Rearranged
10th of February 1915 Artillery Redistribution
13th of February 1915 Trenches Maintained
14th of February 1915 Germans Plan an Attack?
15th of February 1915 Heavy Rain
16th of February 1915 Baling All Night
17th of February 1915 Patrols Out
18th of February 1915 Grenades Cause Confusion
20th of February 1915 A Violent Explosion
21st of February 1915 8th Howitzers Leave
22nd of February 1915 Cheering and Rockets
23rd of February 1915 B Sector Shelled
24th of February 1915 Snipers Checked
26th of February 1915 Patrol Encountered
28th of February 1915 Artillery Reorganised
1st of March 1915 Quiet
16th March 1915 Information
18th of March 1915 Trench Mortars
21st of March 1915 Intelligence
30th of March 1915 Hostile MG Damaged?
31st March 1915 Working Parties
31st of March 1915 Staff
1st of April 1915 Situation Normal
2nd of April 1915 Quiet Day
7th of April 1915 Mostly Quiet
8th of April 1915 Another Quiet Day
11th of April 1915 Train Fired On
12th of April 1915 German Planes Active
17th of April 1915 Mines Exploded
17th April 1915 5th Division Attack
24th of April 1915 A Quiet Night
20th of May 1915 Gun Destroys Sap
29th May 1915 Instruction
24th Jul 1915 Relief
15th of August 1915 3 Salvos Fired
19th Aug 1915 Gas and Mines
11th of September 1915 Changes of Command
23rd of September 1915 Hostile Patrol Seen
24th of September 1915 Wet Weather
16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme
1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets
11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment
1st of January 1916 Night-time Shelling
2nd of January 1916 Direct Hits
10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens
9th February 1916 Call Ups
10th of February 1916 MG Coys Join
4th of March 1916 Snow All Day
21st March 1916 Battalion Orders
13th of April 1916 Brigade Relief
16th of April 1916 DCLI CO Killed
23rd Jul 1916 1st Cornwall light Infantry attack The 1st DCLI took part in an attack on strong points located in the orchards to the north of Delville Wood. The attack began at 3.40 a.m. and despite early success the battalion was driven back to Pont Road by enemy counter attacks.
23rd of July 1916 Longueval Attack Report
24th of July 1916 Reliefs
25th of July 1916 Enemy Advances
27th July 1916 At 0650 hours a Company reported they could_hardly muster a platoon owing to most of the Company being buried by the heavy shelling.
28th July 1916 Two Companies of East Surrey's and the D.C.L.I. arrived.
31st July 1916 Owing to the very heavy poisoned gas-shell 2245 hours barrage in Valley North of Montauban the whole Battalion had to put on gas helmets.
5th of August 1916 Divisional Dispositions
27th of August 1916 Divisional Dispositions
30th of August 1916 Enemy Artillery Active
31st of August 1916 Warning Order Issued
1st of September 1916 Enemy SOS
4th of September 1916 Units Mixed Up
21st of September 1916 Situation Normal
21st September 1916 Patrols Fired On
22nd of September 1916 Dispositions
23rd of September 1916 Reliefs
25th of September 1916 Instructions for Tanks
28th of September 1916 Heavy Showers
30th of September 1916 Dispositions
4th Oct 1916 Quiet in morning. 18th Durhams are relieved in The Trenches of the Givenchy Sector by 1st Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry and moved into Village (support) Line. No casualties. D Coy. held Givenchy Keep, Hilders, Herts. A Coy. Pont Fixe South. B Coy. Orchard. Heavy rain at night.18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1
13th of October 1916 Reliefs
31st of October 1916 Distribution
30th of November 1916 Enemy Baling Out
2nd of December 1916 Raiding Party Fails
4th of December 1916 German Trenches Damaged
5th December 1916 Reliefs
6th of December 1916 Working Parties Dispersed
10th of December 1916 Working Parties Dispersed
14th of December 1916 A Combined Shoot
20th of December 1916 German TMs Active
21st of December 1916 Ferme Cour d'Avoue Shelled
22nd of December 1916 Quiet Day
24th of December 1916 Germans Very Active
29th of December 1916 Artillery Quieter
5th of January 1917 Aeroplanes Active
6th of January 1917 German Guns Quiet
9th of January 1917 Spotted Dog Shelled
13th of January 1917 Retaliation "Feeble"
17th of January 1917 Guns Active
20th of January 1917 Active Artillery
21st of January 1917 Our TMs Active
26th of January 1917 TMs Busy
30th of January 1917 Hostile TMs Busy
1st of February 1917 Balloon Spotted
3rd of February 1917 Artillery Active
6th of February 1917 Fairly Quiet
7th of February 1917 Feeble Retaliation
9th of February 1917 Little TM Retaliation
12th of February 1917 Artillery Quiet
15th of February 1917 Enemy TMs Fall Short
17th of February 1917 TMs Quiet
19th of February 1917 Our Guns Active
21st of February 1917 Our Guns Active
28th of February 1917 Artillery Quiet
1st of March 1917 POWs Taken
4th of March 1917 Damage Caused by Heavies
5th Mar 1917 Reliefs
5th March 1917 On the March
6th of March 1917 Brigades Attached
8th of March 1917 Divisional Relief
9th Mar 1917 Relief Completed
9th of March 1917 TMs Very Active
9th March 1917 Reliefs
11th of March 1917 Auchy Heavily Shelled
14th of March 1917 Pekin Trench Hit
15th of March 1917 Brigade Relief
17th Mar 1917 Reliefs
17th March 1917 Reliefs
20th of March 1917 Composite Division Formed
24th of March 1917 Pioneers On the Move
27th of March 1917 In Corps Reserve
2nd of April 1917 Positions
8th of April 1917 HQ Moves
11th of April 1917 Dispositions
12th of April 1917 Orders and Reliefs
13th of April 1917 A Push Forward
14th of April 1917 Orders to Move
18th of April 1917 Divisional Front Readjusted
20th of April 1917 Orders to Attack
21st of April 1917 Operations Postponed
22nd of April 1917 Warning Order Received
23rd of April 1917 Reliefs Complete
24th of April 1917 35 Minute Bombardment
25th of April 1917 Canadians Take Over Front
28th of April 1917 Rest and Training
2nd of May 1917 13th Inf Bde Moves
5th of May 1917 Wood Shelled
6th of May 1917 Enemy Guns Active
8th May 1917 Enemy Attack
8th of May 1917 Orders to Attack
8th May 1917 Battalion warned to be prepared to move at once to support 95th Brigade.
8th May 1917 In Action
9th May 1917 Reliefs
9th of May 1917 No Further Advance
10th of May 1917 Enemy Concentration Reported
11th of May 1917 Enemy Guns Active
12th of May 1917 Bailleul Shelled
13th of May 1917 Front Line Shelled
15th of May 1917 Very Quiet Day
17th of May 1917 A Surprise Attack
20th of May 1917 Guns Active
21st of May 1917 Quiet Night
22nd of May 1917 Quiet Day
24th of May 1917 Relief Completed
26th of May 1917 Quiet Day
30th May 1917 Football
31st May 1917 Work and Training
2nd of June 1917
9th of June 1917 A Relief
10th of June 1917 Minor Op Planned
14th of June 1917 Relief
15th of June 1917 Relief Completed
16th June 1917 Quiet Night
17th of June 1917 Quiet Day
18th of June 1917 Aircraft Active
19th of June 1917 Quiet Day
21st of June 1917 Brigade Relief Completed
24th of June 1917 A Raid
26th of June 1917 Quiet Day
28th of June 1917 Successful Operation
1st of July 1917 Front Line Adjusted
5th of July 1917 Our Trenches Damaged
6th of July 1917 A Brigade Relief
10th of July 1917 A Raid Ordered
12th of July 1917 Back Areas Shelled
17th of July 1917 Quiet Time
18th of July 1917 Direct Hits Made
19th of July 1917 Situation Quiet
21st of July 1917 Back Areas Shelled
23rd of July 1917 Minenwerfer Active
26th of July 1917 Very Quiet
27th of July 1917 Gas Attack
28th July 1917 Relief in daylight.
29th of July 1917 Brigade Relief
1st of August 1917 MG Activity
3rd of August 1917 Snipers Active
4th of August 1917 Hostile Shelling
7th of August 1917 A German Raid
10th of August 1917 Mostly Quiet
13th of August 1917 Two Minute Barrage
16th of August 1917 MGs Active
19th of August 1917 Gas Drums Plan
22nd of August 1917 Railway Shelled
25th of August 1917 TMs Hit Oppy Wood
27th of August 1917 Quiet Time
31st August 1917 Quiet Time
3rd of September 1917 Quiet
5th of September 1917 Brigades on the March
6th of September 1917 Gas Shelling
7th of September 1917 Training
9th of October 1917 Hostile Guns Active
10th of September 1917 Division to Move
11th of September 1917 Artillery Marches
3rd of October 1917 More Heavy Shelling
4th of October 1917 Attack Launched
5th of October 1917 Quieter Night
10th of October 1917 "Intense Barrage" Endured
11th of October 1917 Snipers Active
14th of October 1917 Training
17th of October 1917 Training
21st of October 1917 Offensive to be Resumed
25th of October 1917 Incessant Shelling
28th of October 1917 Enemy Guns "Above Normal"
1st November 1917 The Battalion moved from Bedford House at about 1600 hours and took over the Firing Line in front of Polderhoek Chateau from the 1st D.C.L.I.
4th of November 1917 Heavy shelling
4th November 1917 Front Line and Support Line systems now very nearly complete
6th of November 1917 Attack Launched
6th November 1917 Reliefs
8th of November 1917 Fairly Quiet
11th of November 1917 Quiet Time
14th of November 1917 95th Brigade Entrain
18th of November 1917 121st Battery Moves
19th of November 1917 Pioneers Move
26th of November 1917 HQ Closes and Re-opens
27th of November 1917 Entraining for Italy
28th of November 1917 Entraining for Italy
9th of April 1918 Orders
10th of April 1918 Relief Postponed
12th Apr 1918 In Action
12th of April 1918 Attack Ordered
13th of April 1918 Enemy Attacks
15th of April 1918 Another Enemy Attack
16th of April 1918 Situation Quiet
18th of April 1918 Artillery Active
19th of April 1918 A Raiding Party
22nd of April 1918 A Gas Attack
23rd of April 1918 Constant Shelling
25th of April 1918 Division Attacks
26th Apr 1918 Gun Positions
28th of April 1918 Artillery Quieter
30th of April 1918 Artillery Very Active
3rd of May 1918 Enemy Artillery Active
4th of May 1918 Situation Quiet
10th of May 1918 Gas Shells Used
15th of May 1918 Our Heavies Busy
17th of May 1918 Active Artillery
22nd of May 1918 Enemy Active
23rd of May 1918 Quiet Night
30th of May 1918 A Relief
3rd of June 1918 Gas Shelling
5th of June 1918 Brigade Relief
13th of June 1918 Brigade Relief Completed
15th of June 1918 Operation Proposed
20th of June 1918 Situation Unchanged
22nd of June 1918 Slight Activity
25th of June 1918 WO95/1510/4
28th of June 1918 Successful Attack
29th of June 1918 Enemy Guns Active
1st of July 1918 Situation Unchanged
7th of July 1918 Gas Shelling
12th of July 1918 Back Areas Bombed
18th of July 1918 Our Guns Active
24th of July 1918 Relief Completed
28th of July 1918 Quiet
31st of July 1918 Relief Completed
9th of August 1918 Training
10th of August 1918 Training
13th of August 1918 Entraining Commenced
15th of August 1918 Training
21st of August 1918 Division Advances
23rd of August 1918 Division Attacks
24th of August 1918 5th Division Co-operates
25th of August 1918 Brigades Move
26th of August 1918 Enemy Retreats
27th of August 1918 Quiet
28th of August 1918 Situation Unchanged
30th of August 1918 Advance Continues
31st of August 1918 Counter-Attack
1st of September 1918 Attack Sucessful
2nd of September 1918 Strongly Defended
3rd of September 1918 Enemy Withdraws
4th of September 1918 Divisional Relief
5th of September 1918 Rest and Training
17th of September 1918 Back Areas Bombed
18th of September 1918 Attack Commences
19th of September 1918 Enemy Guns Quiet
20th of September 1918 Quiet Time
22nd of September 1918 Field Guns Active
30th of September 1918 Divisional Relief
12th October 1918 Operation Order No.57.
12th October 1918 Improving billet area.
20th of October 1918
23rd of October 1918 Heavy Bombardment
10th of November 1918 Operations Continue
11th of November 1918 Armistice and a Report
13th of November 1918 Resting
10th of January 1919 Locations
18th January 1919 Battalion football against 1st D.C.L.I.If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
Want to know more about 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry?
There are:5579 items tagged 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry 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
1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
during the Great War 1914-1918.
- Battman Frederick William. Sgt. acting WO
- Besant Arthur. Pte. (d.28 November 1914)
- Blake Thomas. Pte. (d.21st Oct 1914)
- Brabazon George Bernard. Private (d.11th April 1915)
- Brabazon George Bernard. Pte. (d.11th April 1915 )
- Chegwin Archibald. Pte. (d.8th May 1917)
- Cook Walter. Pte (d.23rd Jul 1916)
- Eyre Horace. Pte (d.28th Jun 1918)
- Garstin Christopher. Sgt (d.20th July 1915)
- Glassman Daniel. Pte. (d.15th Jun 1915)
- Harvey William S. Pte (d.30th Aug 1918)
- Hawkins George. Pte. (d.21st Oct 1914)
- Hinxman Joseph Frank. Pte. (d.23rd July 1916)
- James Walter Richard. CSM. (d.6th Nov 1917)
- Keeling George Frederick. Pte. (d.10th Jul 1915)
- Lee Charles. Pte. (d.23rd July 1916)
- Maywood James Henry. Capt. (d.23rd Aug 1918)
- McKellow William Henry . Pte. (d.3rd Oct 1917)
- Preston George. Pte (d.23rd Jul 1916)
- Riste George. Pte. (d.4th Oct 1917)
- Sandercock Leonard. Cpl. (d.18th Apr 1917)
- Sherwood Joseph Edward . Pte. (d.21st April 1916)
- Snell Herbert John. WO2. (d.28th Jun 1918)
- Spence Andrew MacKenzie. Pte.
- Spencer William James. Pte. (d.4th October 1917)
- Taylor Frank George Henry. Pte (d.17th Nov 1917)
- Wiseman Frank. Pte. (d.3rd Oct 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 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry from other sources.
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Capt. James Henry Maywood 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.23rd Aug 1918)James Maywood was my great uncle, I have his service record from the National Archives at Kew. He was a regular soldier having joined up with the 1st Grenadier Guards then moving to the 1st DCLI and then towards end of war to the Gloucesters as adjutant. He worked his way up the ranks to be come an officer having passed out at Sandhurst. A very capable soldier and only 32 years old when he was killed leaving a wife and two children.
Pte. Joseph Edward Sherwood 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.21st April 1916)Joseph Sherwood was my grandfather's eldest living brother and enlisted in 1915. He arrived in France on the 3rd of August 1915. Before joining the army Joseph worked in the brick making industry alongside all of his family. Joseph had a younger brother Arthur who survived the war who fought with the South Staffordshire Regiment. Unfortunately, my grandfather never mentioned his brothers and their participation in WW1, and nobody in the family knew of their service.My brother and I will be making a visit to see Joseph's resting place and to pay our personnel respect. Joseph Edward Sherwood was killed in action in the Arras region.
Kenneth Sherwood
Pte. Daniel Glassman 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.15th Jun 1915)My great-uncle Daniel Glassman was killed on the 15th of June 1915, aged 19 and is buried in Ypres Cemetery (The Bluff). As I will be coming to Belgium at the beginning of June to see his grave, I am trying to establish where he was killed so I can also visit the battleground. My interest is not only was he family but I was named after him. If you have any information where he was killed that day, I would be very much obliged.Danny Sheffer
Sgt Christopher Garstin 1st Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.20th July 1915)Christopher Garstin served with the 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in WW1. He died 20th of July 1915 and is buried in the First D.C.L.I. Cemetery at The Bluff in Belgium.
Pte Frank George Henry Taylor 1st Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.17th Nov 1917)Pte. Frank George Henry Taylor - Service Number 29535 - 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
My Great Grandfather Frank was wounded on 1917-11-06 during the 2nd Battle of Passchendaele and was moved to the British Army Hospital at Wimereux in France.
He sadly succumbed to his wounds on 1917-11-17 and was buried in a marked grave in the Wimereux Communal Cemetery.
God rest his soul.
Jez Smith
Pte George Preston 1st Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.23rd Jul 1916)George Preston served with the 1st DCLI
Pte Horace Eyre 1st Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.28th Jun 1918)Pte. Horace Eyre served with the 1st Bn. DCLI in 1918.
Little is known of his early time in service.
He was born in Jan 1899, so would have joined in 1917. It may perhaps be assumed that he was involved in the defence of Hazebrouck during the German attack of April 1918.
He died from his wounds received while taking part in the Action at La Becque of 1918-06-28, aged just 19.
He is buried in the War Graves Cemetery in Aval Wood Military Cemetery, Vieux-Berquin, Nord, France.
Julian Eyre
Pte. George Frederick Keeling C Coy. 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.10th Jul 1915)George Keeling was my second cousin. He was born in Bermondsey, London in 1893, the son of Henry and Mary. In 1911 he was a tea packer. George was killed in action on 10th of July 1915, aged 21. He is buried in the First DCLI Cemetery, The Bluff near Ypres in Belgium.Julie Apps
Pte. William James Spencer 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.4th October 1917)James Spencer was my grand father who I never saw. He was killed in action and has no known grave. He is remembered at Tyne Cot. Sorry that we have no photo of him.A. W.Spencer
Pte. Archibald Chegwin 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.8th May 1917)Not much is known about my grandfather, Archibald Chegwin prior to the War. It is thought that he fell at Fresnoy on 8th of May 1917, during a counter attack on German lines. He has no known grave and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial.Dennis Chirgwin
WO2. Herbert John Snell 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infanty (d.28th Jun 1918)C.S.M. Herbert Snell served with the 1st Bn. DCLI and was wounded at the Battle of Le Cateau in 1914. He then served for most of the war with the 3rd Btn. in UK and only returned to France in 1918 to rejoin 1st Btn. He survived the German attack in April 1918, where he was involved in the defence of Hazebrouck. He was killed in the Action at La Becque of 28th June 1918. He is buried in the War Graves Cemetery in Thiennes, France.David Snell
Pte. William Henry McKellow 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.3rd Oct 1917)Private William Henry McKellow, served with the 1st Battalion, Duke Of Cornwalls Light Infantry, he died during the Battle of Passchendaele on the 3rd of October 1917. He was 20 years old.Mark Probyn
Pte Walter Cook 1st Btn Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.23rd Jul 1916)My Uncle Walter Cook enlisted in the DCLI as an underage boy from South London,and was killed at Delville Wood on 23 July 1916, aged just 17, where he is buried.Sadly his war records perished in a fire at the National archivesin the thirties and the family photo of him in uniform is long lost.I would very much like, in this anniversary year, to trace a photo of him if anyone can help.
Pte. George Bernard Brabazon 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.11th April 1915 )George Bernard Brabazon was born in 1892 son of William Percival Brabazon. Private 1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He was killed in WW1 on 11th April 1915 and is buried in Aeroplane Cemetary, BelgiumS. Flynn
Sgt. acting WO Frederick William Battman 1st. Battalion The Duke of Cornwall's Light InfantryTimeline14th October 1908, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. were posted to Milton Barracks.
13th November 1908, Grandad joined the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Milton Barracks, Gravesend, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. Grandad did not do his initial 6 months training in Bodmin as was practice but did them in Gravesend.
2nd April 1911, Grandad 1911 census Milton Barracks, Gravesend, Private Frederick William Battman, 1st. Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
4th September 1911, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. were posted to Tidworth
1913, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. were posted to the Curragh in Ireland.
7-13th August 1914, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. mobilised. Days filled with route marching, drilling, getting ready for France.
13th August 1914, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. as part of the 14th Brigade and 5th Division travelled to Dublin and embarked on SS Lanfranc for an unknown destination (Havre).
14th August 1914, Grandad was a Corporal in the ‘Peace Detail’, the rear party left behind at the Curragh when the Battalion entrained for Dublin, and thence to France on the following day. A rear party were sent to the camp at the Curragh to pack up regimental property
17th August 1914, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I Arrived France Part of II Corps (Haig).
12th December 1914, Grandad landed in France as reinforcements.
Mid-1915, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I went south to the Somme, and took over the line at Carnoy before moving to Arras
915, Battle Honours : Ypres, Le Cateau; Gravenstafel; St Julien; Frezenberg; Bellewaarde; Hooge
1916, Battle Honours : Somme, Mount Sorrel; Delville Wood; Guillemont; Flers-Courcelette; Morval; Le Transloy; Ancre
July 1916, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I returned for the Battle of the Somme, heavily engaged at High Wood, Guillemont and Morval, and by September 1916 had suffered over 11,000 casualties.
1916, invalided home after suffering a gas attack in the Somme Transferred to 3rd Bn. D.C.L.I. Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater, Isle of White
August 29th 1916, Grandad married Violet Gertrude Drew, Stationed at Golden Hill Camp, Freshwater, Isle of White, Sergeant, 3rd Bn. D.C.L.I.
1917, Stationed at Freshwater on the Isle of Wight. The Battalion were stationed in the Isle of Wight until March 1918.
22nd April 1918, Dorothy Ethel Battman was born to Granddad and Violet. Grandad's occupation of birth certificate: Sergeant, 3rd Bn. D.C.L.I. living at 13 Trelawney Road, Falmouth, which appears to be Violets parent’s home.
1918, Grandad promoted to Acting Warrant Officer Class 2 Grandad awarded the Victory, British & 14-15 Star Medal
30th August 1919 or 1920, 3rd Bn. D.C.L.I. moved from Freshwater to Ballyshannon where it absorbed the last remnants of the 1st Battalion. The composite body of the 1st and 3rd Battalions became the new 1st Battalion. It moved to Ballykinlar where it remained, mostly engaged in internal security duties in Belfast, until February 1922 when it again moved, this time to Dublin where the pre-Irish Independence rebellion was in full swing. I do not believe Grandad was in Ireland.
August 1920. Grandad's original regimental number was 9188 which was changed to 5429151 when army numbers were substituted for regimental numbers.
4th November 1920, Discharged from Reserve, Hernia L & R, Rank Sergeant acting Warrant Officer Class II
2nd June 1919 or 12 January 1921, Joined the metropolitan police
Helen Denise Thomas
Pte. George Hawkins "D" Coy. 1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.21st Oct 1914)George Hawkins joined the Army in 1908. His Battalion was rushed from Ireland to Mon's at the outbreak of the Great War. He took part in the Famous Mon's retreat when on 21st October 1914 the German Army launched a massive attack which resulted in most of "D" Company being either killed in action or taken prisoner. George Hawkins' body, like many others on that day, has never been found, he is remembered in our hearts and on panel 19 at the Le Touret Memorial.His Brother William Charles Hawkins of the Wiltshire Regiment also fell in 1917.
Andy Wilkinson
Private George Bernard Brabazon 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.11th April 1915)Son of William Percival Brabazon. He died aged 23 and is buried in the Aeroplane Cemetery in BelgiumS. Flynn
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