The Wartime Memories Project

- 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry during the Great War -


Great War> Allied Army
skip to content


This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to accept cookies.


If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.



    Site Home

    Great War Home

    Search

    Add Stories & Photos

    Library

    Help & FAQs

 Features

    Allied Army

    Day by Day

    RFC & RAF

    Prisoners of War

    War at Sea

    Training for War

    The Battles

    Those Who Served

    Hospitals

    Civilian Service

    Women at War

    The War Effort

    Central Powers Army

    Central Powers Navy

    Imperial Air Service

    Library

    World War Two

 Submissions

    Add Stories & Photos

    Time Capsule

 Information

    Help & FAQs



    Glossary

    Volunteering

    News

    Events

    Contact us

    Great War Books

    About


Advertisements

World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

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   location map

25th of November 1914  Royal Scots Shelled

4th of December 1914 Reliefs  location map

5th of December 1914  Relief Complete   location map

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   location map

14th of December 1914  French on the Offensive  location map

15th of December 1914  Operations Resumed  location map

16th of December 1914  Instruction  location map

17th December 1914 Reliefs

18th of December 1914 No Progress

21st of December 1914 Howitzers Silenced  location map

26th of December 1914 Messines Square Targetted   location map

31st of December 1914 Message  location map

2nd of January 1915 Artillery Active   location map

4th of January 1915 Trench Work  location map

7th of January 1915 Very Wet Weather  location map

8th of January 1915 Trenches Damaged   location map

10th of January 1915 Flooding and Baling  location map

15th of January 1915 Germans Fire Slowly  location map

16th of January 1915 Squally Weather  location map

17th of January 1915 Quiet Day  location map

18th of January 1915 Artillery Active   location map

19th of January 1915  Thaw Sets In  location map

21st of January 1915 Wulverghem Shelled  location map

22nd of January 1915 Aeroplane-Aided Shelling  location map

29th of January 1915  Artillery Intervenes  location map

31st of January 1915 Trench Improvements Reported  location map

1st of February 1915  No 7 Trench Hit

4th of February 1915 Chicken Sentries

7th of February 1915 Sectors Rearranged   location map

10th of February 1915 Artillery Redistribution  location map

13th of February 1915 Trenches Maintained  location map

14th of February 1915 Germans Plan an Attack?  location map

15th of February 1915 Heavy Rain

16th of February 1915 Baling All Night  location map

17th of February 1915 Patrols Out

18th of February 1915 Grenades Cause Confusion  location map

20th of February 1915 A Violent Explosion  location map

21st of February 1915 8th Howitzers Leave  location map

22nd of February 1915 Cheering and Rockets  location map

23rd of February 1915  B Sector Shelled

24th of February 1915 Snipers Checked  location map

26th of February 1915 Patrol Encountered  location map

28th of February 1915  Artillery Reorganised  location map

1st of March 1915  Quiet  location map

16th March 1915  Information

18th of March 1915 Trench Mortars

21st of March 1915 Intelligence

30th of March 1915  Hostile MG Damaged?   location map

31st March 1915  Working Parties  location map

31st of March 1915 Staff

1st of April 1915 Situation Normal  location map

2nd of April 1915 Quiet Day  location map

7th of April 1915 Mostly Quiet   location map

8th of April 1915 Another Quiet Day

11th of April 1915 Train Fired On  location map

12th of April 1915 German Planes Active   location map

17th of April 1915  Mines Exploded  location map

17th April 1915 5th Division Attack  location map

24th of April 1915  A Quiet Night  location map

20th of May 1915 Gun Destroys Sap  location map

29th May 1915 Instruction  location map

24th Jul 1915 Relief  location map

15th of August 1915  3 Salvos Fired  location map

19th Aug 1915 Gas and Mines

11th of September 1915 Changes of Command  location map

23rd of September 1915 Hostile Patrol Seen  location map

24th of September 1915 Wet Weather   location map

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  location map

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  location map

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  location map

24th of July 1916 Reliefs  location map

25th of July 1916  Enemy Advances  location map

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.  location map

28th July 1916 Two Companies of East Surrey's and the D.C.L.I. arrived.  location map

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.  location map

5th of August 1916 Divisional Dispositions

27th of August 1916 Divisional Dispositions  location map

30th of August 1916  Enemy Artillery Active  location map

31st of August 1916  Warning Order Issued  location map

1st of September 1916 Enemy SOS  location map

4th of September 1916 Units Mixed Up  location map

21st of September 1916 Situation Normal  location map

21st September 1916 Patrols Fired On   location map

22nd of September 1916 Dispositions  location map

23rd of September 1916 Reliefs  location map

25th of September 1916  Instructions for Tanks  location map

28th of September 1916 Heavy Showers  location map

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  location map

31st of October 1916 Distribution  location map

30th of November 1916  Enemy Baling Out  location map

2nd of December 1916 Raiding Party Fails  location map

4th of December 1916  German Trenches Damaged  location map

5th December 1916 Reliefs

6th of December 1916  Working Parties Dispersed  location map

10th of December 1916  Working Parties Dispersed  location map

14th of December 1916  A Combined Shoot  location map

20th of December 1916 German TMs Active  location map

21st of December 1916 Ferme Cour d'Avoue Shelled  location map

22nd of December 1916 Quiet Day  location map

24th of December 1916 Germans Very Active  location map

29th of December 1916  Artillery Quieter  location map

5th of January 1917  Aeroplanes Active  location map

6th of January 1917  German Guns Quiet  location map

9th of January 1917  Spotted Dog Shelled  location map

13th of January 1917  Retaliation "Feeble"  location map

17th of January 1917 Guns Active  location map

20th of January 1917 Active Artillery  location map

21st of January 1917 Our TMs Active  location map

26th of January 1917 TMs Busy  location map

30th of January 1917 Hostile TMs Busy  location map

1st of February 1917  Balloon Spotted  location map

3rd of February 1917 Artillery Active  location map

6th of February 1917 Fairly Quiet  location map

7th of February 1917  Feeble Retaliation  location map

9th of February 1917  Little TM Retaliation  location map

12th of February 1917 Artillery Quiet  location map

15th of February 1917 Enemy TMs Fall Short  location map

17th of February 1917 TMs Quiet  location map

19th of February 1917 Our Guns Active  location map

21st of February 1917  Our Guns Active  location map

28th of February 1917 Artillery Quiet  location map

1st of March 1917 POWs Taken  location map

4th of March 1917 Damage Caused by Heavies  location map

5th Mar 1917 Reliefs  location map

5th March 1917 On the March  location map

6th of March 1917  Brigades Attached  location map

8th of March 1917  Divisional Relief  location map

9th Mar 1917 Relief Completed  location map

9th of March 1917  TMs Very Active  location map

9th March 1917 Reliefs

11th of March 1917 Auchy Heavily Shelled  location map

14th of March 1917 Pekin Trench Hit  location map

15th of March 1917  Brigade Relief  location map

17th Mar 1917 Reliefs  location map

17th March 1917 Reliefs

20th of March 1917  Composite Division Formed  location map

24th of March 1917 Pioneers On the Move

27th of March 1917 In Corps Reserve  location map

2nd of April 1917  Positions  location map

8th of April 1917 HQ Moves

11th of April 1917 Dispositions

12th of April 1917 Orders and Reliefs  location map

13th of April 1917  A Push Forward  location map

14th of April 1917 Orders to Move  location map

18th of April 1917 Divisional Front Readjusted  location map

20th of April 1917 Orders to Attack  location map

21st of April 1917 Operations Postponed  location map

22nd of April 1917 Warning Order Received  location map

23rd of April 1917 Reliefs Complete  location map

24th of April 1917 35 Minute Bombardment  location map

25th of April 1917 Canadians Take Over Front  location map

28th of April 1917 Rest and Training  location map

2nd of May 1917 13th Inf Bde Moves

5th of May 1917  Wood Shelled  location map

6th of May 1917 Enemy Guns Active  location map

8th May 1917 Enemy Attack  location map

8th of May 1917  Orders to Attack  location map

8th May 1917 Battalion warned to be prepared to move at once to support 95th Brigade.

8th May 1917 In Action  location map

9th May 1917 Reliefs

9th of May 1917 No Further Advance  location map

10th of May 1917 Enemy Concentration Reported  location map

11th of May 1917 Enemy Guns Active  location map

12th of May 1917 Bailleul Shelled  location map

13th of May 1917 Front Line Shelled  location map

15th of May 1917 Very Quiet Day  location map

17th of May 1917 A Surprise Attack  location map

20th of May 1917 Guns Active  location map

21st of May 1917 Quiet Night  location map

22nd of May 1917  Quiet Day  location map

24th of May 1917  Relief Completed  location map

26th of May 1917 Quiet Day  location map

30th May 1917 Football  location map

31st May 1917 Work and Training  location map

2nd of June 1917   location map

9th of June 1917  A Relief  location map

10th of June 1917 Minor Op Planned  location map

14th of June 1917 Relief  location map

15th of June 1917   Relief Completed  location map

16th June 1917  Quiet Night  location map

17th of June 1917 Quiet Day  location map

18th of June 1917   Aircraft Active  location map

19th of June 1917  Quiet Day  location map

21st of June 1917  Brigade Relief Completed  location map

24th of June 1917  A Raid  location map

26th of June 1917  Quiet Day  location map

28th of June 1917  Successful Operation   location map

1st of July 1917  Front Line Adjusted  location map

5th of July 1917  Our Trenches Damaged  location map

6th of July 1917  A Brigade Relief  location map

10th of July 1917 A Raid Ordered  location map

12th of July 1917  Back Areas Shelled   location map

17th of July 1917 Quiet Time  location map

18th of July 1917 Direct Hits Made  location map

19th of July 1917   Situation Quiet   location map

21st of July 1917 Back Areas Shelled  location map

23rd of July 1917 Minenwerfer Active  location map

26th of July 1917  Very Quiet   location map

27th of July 1917  Gas Attack  location map

28th July 1917 Relief in daylight.

29th of July 1917 Brigade Relief  location map

1st of August 1917 MG Activity  location map

3rd of August 1917   Snipers Active  location map

4th of August 1917  Hostile Shelling  location map

7th of August 1917  A German Raid  location map

10th of August 1917 Mostly Quiet  location map

13th of August 1917 Two Minute Barrage  location map

16th of August 1917 MGs Active  location map

19th of August 1917  Gas Drums Plan  location map

22nd of August 1917 Railway Shelled  location map

25th of August 1917  TMs Hit Oppy Wood  location map

27th of August 1917 Quiet Time  location map

31st August 1917 Quiet Time  location map

3rd of September 1917  Quiet  location map

5th of September 1917 Brigades on the March  location map

6th of September 1917 Gas Shelling  location map

7th of September 1917 Training  location map

9th of October 1917 Hostile Guns Active  location map

10th of September 1917  Division to Move

11th of September 1917  Artillery Marches

3rd of October 1917 More Heavy Shelling   location map

4th of October 1917 Attack Launched  location map

5th of October 1917 Quieter Night  location map

10th of October 1917   "Intense Barrage" Endured  location map

11th of October 1917 Snipers Active  location map

14th of October 1917 Training  location map

17th of October 1917 Training  location map

21st of October 1917 Offensive to be Resumed  location map

25th of October 1917 Incessant Shelling  location map

28th of October 1917 Enemy Guns "Above Normal"  location map

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  location map

4th November 1917 Front Line and Support Line systems now very nearly complete

6th of November 1917 Attack Launched  location map

6th November 1917 Reliefs

8th of November 1917 Fairly Quiet  location map

11th of November 1917 Quiet Time  location map

14th of November 1917 95th Brigade Entrain

18th of November 1917 121st Battery Moves  location map

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  location map

12th of April 1918 Attack Ordered  location map

13th of April 1918 Enemy Attacks  location map

15th of April 1918   Another Enemy Attack  location map

16th of April 1918 Situation Quiet  location map

18th of April 1918  Artillery Active  location map

19th of April 1918 A Raiding Party   location map

22nd of April 1918  A Gas Attack  location map

23rd of April 1918 Constant Shelling  location map

25th of April 1918  Division Attacks  location map

26th Apr 1918 Gun Positions  location map

28th of April 1918 Artillery Quieter  location map

30th of April 1918 Artillery Very Active  location map

3rd of May 1918 Enemy Artillery Active   location map

4th of May 1918 Situation Quiet  location map

10th of May 1918 Gas Shells Used   location map

15th of May 1918 Our Heavies Busy   location map

17th of May 1918 Active Artillery  location map

22nd of May 1918 Enemy Active  location map

23rd of May 1918 Quiet Night  location map

30th of May 1918 A Relief  location map

3rd of June 1918   Gas Shelling  location map

5th of June 1918  Brigade Relief  location map

13th of June 1918  Brigade Relief Completed  location map

15th of June 1918  Operation Proposed  location map

20th of June 1918 Situation Unchanged  location map

22nd of June 1918  Slight Activity  location map

25th of June 1918 WO95/1510/4  location map

28th of June 1918 Successful Attack  location map

29th of June 1918 Enemy Guns Active  location map

1st of July 1918  Situation Unchanged  location map

7th of July 1918  Gas Shelling  location map

12th of July 1918 Back Areas Bombed  location map

18th of July 1918  Our Guns Active  location map

24th of July 1918  Relief Completed  location map

28th of July 1918 Quiet   location map

31st of July 1918 Relief Completed  location map

9th of August 1918  Training  location map

10th of August 1918  Training

13th of August 1918 Entraining Commenced

15th of August 1918  Training

21st of August 1918  Division Advances  location map

23rd of August 1918  Division Attacks  location map

24th of August 1918  5th Division Co-operates  location map

25th of August 1918 Brigades Move  location map

26th of August 1918  Enemy Retreats  location map

27th of August 1918 Quiet  location map

28th of August 1918   Situation Unchanged  location map

30th of August 1918  Advance Continues  location map

31st of August 1918  Counter-Attack  location map

1st of September 1918  Attack Sucessful  location map

2nd of September 1918 Strongly Defended

3rd of September 1918  Enemy Withdraws  location map

4th of September 1918 Divisional Relief

5th of September 1918 Rest and Training

17th of September 1918 Back Areas Bombed  location map

18th of September 1918 Attack Commences  location map

19th of September 1918 Enemy Guns Quiet  location map

20th of September 1918  Quiet Time  location map

22nd of September 1918 Field Guns Active  location map

30th of September 1918  Divisional Relief  location map

12th October 1918 Operation Order No.57.  location map

12th October 1918 Improving billet area.

20th of October 1918   location map

23rd of October 1918 Heavy Bombardment

10th of November 1918  Operations Continue  location map

11th of November 1918 Armistice and a Report  location map

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.


    The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

    25th Annversary

  • 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. 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.

<p>Later Grave Stone for CSM HJ Snell

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, Belgium

S. Flynn






  Sgt. acting WO Frederick William Battman 1st. Battalion The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

Timeline

14th 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 Belgium

S. Flynn






Recomended Reading.

Available at discounted prices.









Links


    Suggest a link

















    The free section of The Wartime Memories Project is run by volunteers.

    This website is paid for out of our own pockets, library subscriptions and from donations made by visitors. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources and we currently have a huge backlog of submissions.

    If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small to help with the costs of keeping the site running.


    Hosted by:

    The Wartime Memories Project Website

    is archived for preservation by the British Library





    Copyright MCMXCIX - MMXXIV
    - All Rights Reserved -

    We do not permit the use of any content from this website for the training of LLMs or for use in Generative AI, it also may not be scraped for the purpose of creating other websites.